March 30, 2017 1.17 pm This story is over 84 months old

‘It’s disgusting’: Grimsby mum’s outrage after daughter sent home for wearing tight trousers

An angry mum has described her fury after her daughter was hauled out of class and put into isolation for wearing ‘tight trousers’ bought from the school section at Asda. Tracy Godfrey, from Grimsby, told Lincolnshire Reporter how her daughter, Olivia, 15, was taken to isolation at Havelock Academy after she and several other girls were singled out for wearing…
Olivia was told that her trousers were 'too tight'

An angry mum has described her fury after her daughter was hauled out of class and put into isolation for wearing ‘tight trousers’ bought from the school section at Asda.

Tracy Godfrey, from Grimsby, told Lincolnshire Reporter how her daughter, Olivia, 15, was taken to isolation at Havelock Academy after she and several other girls were singled out for wearing trousers that were deemed ‘too tight’ during a uniform inspection.

The mum-of-eight received a call from the school about Olivia’s trousers and was also told that her daughter would also need a new school bag.

When Tracy refused, the school said that Olivia would have to be sent home.

Olivia, who is currently studying for her GCSEs, has had to come to terms with the sudden loss of her father just four months ago.

Olivia’s trousers were deemed ‘too tight’

Tracy told Lincolnshire Reporter: “It’s disgusting.

“Olivia works really hard, she is never late to school and never misses school. The only time she did was when her dad passed away in November last year.

“She wants to do well in her exams and make her dad proud. She’s done amazingly well.

“To me the trousers aren’t even tight, they were bought from the school section at Asda.

“We have had a lot of problems with the school. When my son was there they called up about his hair. As Olivia is blonde, they’ve asked if she dyes it, it’s ridiculous.

“We are disgusted how everyone has been treated, they are school trousers, they won’t affect the children’s learning.

“My twin boys are due to go up to Year 7 in September but they won’t be going to that school.

“I’ve told my friends to pull their kids out before they start there too, it’s horrendous.”

‘Basic expectations’

Wendy Jackson, principal at Havelock Academy, said that the school has uniform and behaviour policies that all students have to abide by.

She said: “These set out the basic expectations that ensure that our school is a respectful learning environment, where students can focus on achieving their very best.

“These expectations are made clear to all students, as well as parents, at our induction days, on our website, through regular letters and in assemblies.

“In this instance, a number of female students have recently started wearing uniform and make up that does not meet the expectations the school has set.

“When something like this happens, students are put into our alternative provision at the school.

“This enables them to still access all aspects of their education, while ensuring that the basic codes of the academy are still adhered to.

“It would be incorrect to say that any students have been excluded. Most of the children concerned are back in lessons today. If any child is at home, it is because their parents have made that decision.

“We would also like to reiterate that if students are unable to afford to meet the cost of replacement uniform, then the school has support available to them.”