A school that caused uproar among female pupils by banning skirts as part of their uniform has sparked further controversy after girls were sent home – because their trousers were too tight.
Moulton School and Science College, in Northampton, introduced strict new rules banning skirts at the start of September to “avoid the sexualisation” of pupils after schoolgirls repeatedly wore them above the knee.
But now headteacher Trevor Jones has caused further upset after taking the radical decision to send students home or teach them in isolation – if they turn up wearing skinny-fit trousers.
The head has vowed to clamp down on the tight-fitting clothing which he claims would be “more at home in a night-club”.
But angry parents yesterday described the strict policy as “over-the-top” and likened conditions at the school to a concentration camp.
Zelda Allen, 45, whose daughter Tammi, 13, was placed in isolation for the day for wearing skinny fit trousers, said: “It is like Colditz. It is an extremely strict punishment for not wearing the right trousers.
“I think the school is taking it too far, it’s way over the top.
“The girls are going to rebel if they keep doing this. They are much happier at school if they are more comfortable with what they are wearing.”
Rebecca Barford, 33, whose 14-year-old daughter was also taught in isolation, added: “Being taught on her own means my daughter misses her bus home as isolation ends after the usual end time of school.
“As I cannot collect my daughter this is a great concern for me.
“I feel it is not safe for her to make her own way home and I also think that this is a ridiculous punishment for simply not having trousers that make her feel very self conscious and unhappy just because the headteacher of the school wishes girls to dress like boys.”
Headteacher Trevor Jones said students in “skinny fit” trousers would be made to work in isolation until their parents could pick them up from school.
He said: “When an issue becomes prolonged, either because the student deliberately wears incorrect uniform, despite possessing the correct uniform, or because the student, with the parent’s agreement and despite previous attempts to resolve the issue, refuses to purchase and wear the correct uniform, then we will contact the parent and ask them to collect their child and return them correctly dressed.
“Some of the clothes would be more appropriate in a nightclub than in a classroom.
“I think there is massive pressure with girls and image.
“School should be a place where they can come and not have to worry about that for a few hours and instead concentrate on their learning.
“I have had complaints from a number of parents and some girls are feeling aggrieved but we think this will make the school a safer place.”
Moulton School and Science College is for boys and girls aged 11 to 18 and has around 1,300 pupils.
