A schoolgirl was banned from class for wearing a medical earring to stop severe migraines – that was recommended by her doctor.
Molly McCarthy, 13, was excluded from lessons after she ignored teachers who told her to remove the piercing.
The skin coloured ‘daith’ piercing on her ear’s innermost cartilage fold was bought for £50 on medical advice to stop her severe headaches.
The ‘cure’ was first discovered almost two years ago and doctors have likened it to acupuncture.
Many sufferers say it has helped reduce the symptoms of migraines or cured their headaches altogether.
But the procedure fell foul of the strict uniform policy at Penrice Academy in St. Austell, Cornwall and Molly was put into isolation and ordered to take it out.
Her furious mother Emma Steed, 39, has condemned the school’s actions and said her daughter was left feeling distraught and humiliated.
She said: “They told me they wouldn’t let her out of isolation unless she took her piercing out.
“She suffers really badly with migraines and she did try to explain to teachers that it was for medical reasons.
“She had it done six weeks ago and she did say that she wouldn’t actually know how to take it out because it is a hoop.
“I know how my daughter struggles with anxiety and being locked up in a room would have been difficult for her so I just wanted to make sure she was OK.
“I don’t see how putting a child into isolation is benefiting them.”
Emma, who has two other children Chloe, six, and Isla, 15 months, claims that she has now been “banned” from the school until Christmas after turning up demanding to see her daughter.
She added: “The piecing is the same colour as her flesh. We could have had it done in pink or blue but I thought it stood out too much in colour.
“She always wears her hair down so they would have had to really look to see it.”
“She is upset and humiliated. ”
Emma said she would like the school to apologise to her daughter and was looking into complaining to a higher education body.
She added: “I’m really annoyed.
“My daughter is not a naughty child. She has anxiety issues and has had to have a bit of time off.
“There have been times when she has been struggling and they have refused to let her go home.”
Molly’s grandmother Ann McCarthy has also complained about the situation.
She said: “We purchased the ear implant ourselves with the approval of our doctor. We have a letter from him to that affect.
“She was hauled out of class and sent to the isolation room. She was sat down facing the wall and not allowed to speak.”
She added: “My granddaughter tried to explain that the piercing was medical because she gets bad headaches but she said they didn’t take any notice.
“Either myself or my daughter’s husband will have to take Molly to school in the future because her mum is banned.”
Penrice Academy said: “Penrice engaged with parents last term to ensure a smooth start to the beginning of the school year.
“The vast majority of our students and parents take great pride in their school and work with us on all fronts.
“If any pupil or parent has any concerns, questions or queries, Penrice is extremely proud of its extensive support networks.
“All parties are encouraged to keep the school informed, especially around individual needs or medical conditions.
“Safeguarding is paramount in all school environments and if an individual threatens the safety or peaceful environment of our school then the appropriate policies are in place to deal with such incidents.”
