A schoolgirl was excluded after being told her shoes were unsuitable and refusing to wear uncomfortable slip-ons offered as an alternative.
Ashley Binley, 14, was told her black leather shoes were unsuitable as they were ‘Converse-style’.
She was then suspended after refusing to wear the slip-on shoes she was offered instead as she found them too uncomfortable.
Her stepfather, Steven Fletcher, said he was furious as he believed her shoes did meet the school’s requirements.
The rules state that only plain black shoes are acceptable, with no trainers, boots, pumps, canvas shoes, logos or heels higher than an inch allowed.
He said: “The school’s motto is ‘students first’ but it seems to be more worried about what pupils are wearing than what education they’re getting.
“I feel the students’ education is being jeopardised over a pair of shoes.
“I understand the need for a uniform policy but they need to state more clearly what shoes are acceptable, even if that means specifying a supplier.”
Ashley was able to return to school the following day after staff provided a pair of brogues, which she found more comfortable but Mr Fletcher said some other students were still being excluded over their footwear.
He claimed at least 25 students were sent home for wearing the wrong uniform but the school would not confirm how many children were affected.
Outwood Grange Academies Trust, which runs the school in Sheffield, South Yorks., said its uniform policy clearly states what kind of shoes are acceptable.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “The academy has offered to provide alternative footwear for the small number of students concerned and this offer has been declined.
“The trust can confirm that it does not exclude students for wearing incorrect uniform.
“However, if a student refuses to follow a reasonable request to change their footwear, then this would lead to a fixed-term exclusion.”
The trust added that it had purchased uniform for all students when it opened in 2013 and continued to provide schoolwear for those joining in year seven.
