A 14-year-old boy has been told he can’t return to school until he spends a day in isolation after he wore his dry trainers instead of his sopping snow-soaked school shoes.
Fran Thomsen went to school in his black trainers on Friday because his school shoes were still wet from the snow the previous day.
He was offered a spare pair of school shoes to wear for the day but refused because his mother thinks wearing other people’s shoes is ‘disgusting’.
He was therefore placed in isolation for the day at which point his mother decided to bring him home for the day.
When he returned to Oasis Academy Wintringham in Lincolnshire on Monday he was put in isolation again, only this time for truancy.
Fran Thomsen, pictured with his mother Rachael, went to school in his black trainers on Friday because his school shoes were still wet from the snow the previous day
Fran’s mother Rachael said: ‘On Thursday my son got his shoes wet through because of the snow and so he came home with soaking wet shoes.
‘We weren’t able to dry them properly overnight, so I said to him “just wear your trainers and if there’s a problem get the school to call me”.
When he arrived at school he was offered another pair of shoes to wear so he didn’t miss his lessons but he refused because of his mother’s concerns about shared shoes.
She said: ‘I’ve told him he’s not allowed to wear other people’s shoes because it’s just infection control.
‘I’m not prepared to put him in other people’s shoes…we don’t know who’s owned them or where they’re from. I think it’s disgusting.’
She added: ‘Later on Friday the school called to say he’d be spending the day in isolation for inappropriate footwear.’
Ms Thomsen then decided to bring her son home as she felt he’d been treated unfairly.
Fran has been told he can’t return to school until he spends a day in isolation
However when he returned to school on Monday he was told he needed to spend a day in isolation, this time for truancy.
She said: ‘He went in to school on Monday and I thought that would be the end of it, but he was put back in isolation.
‘The school have said he has to spend a day in isolation before he can go back to class…I’m not prepared for my son to be punished for something that’s out of his control.
‘I didn’t have any alternative school shoes for him to wear. I feel we have been treated unfairly.
‘Until the school back down I’m going to have to find my son an alternative place for his education.’
On their website the school say pupils must wear ‘black low heeled smart shoes’ and that trainers, black pumps, canvas shoes, ballet-style shoes, and Converse shoes are not permitted.
A spokesperson for the school said: ‘Oasis Academy Wintringham have long established rules regarding uniform. If ever our students do not have the appropriate uniform, they are offered suitable loan items from the Academy so that they can immediately return to their class.
‘Oasis Academy Wintringham cannot tolerate truancy. If our students are to make the academic progress that they deserve, they must attend school every day on time, and ready to learn.
‘As part of the process of reengaging our students who have missed school without authorisation, they are required to complete a day with our reflection staff on their return. It is an important part of our reward and sanction scheme that our young people are held accountable for their actions.
‘The vast majority of our parents and carers are supportive of the Academy’s expectations of their children. If any have concerns regarding this or another issue, they are encouraged to contact the Academy directly.’