Single mother, 42, pulls her 11-year-old daughter out of school after ‘joke’ uniform dispute

Single mother, 42, pulls her 11-year-old daughter out of school after she was sent home because her £6 trousers from Asda looked like ‘leggings’

  • Michelle Doyle said teachers at Merrill Academy, Derbyshire, ‘upset’ her child
  • Miss Doyle complained and was escorted off premises and police were called
  • The whole saga is over a pair of Asda trousers the school say look like ‘leggings’ 

An angry mother has pulled her daughter out of school after getting into a row with the head teacher over the child’s trousers.

Michelle Doyle said teachers at Merrill Academy, in Alvaston, Derbyshire, sent her daughter Libbi home because her £6 trousers from Asda looked like ‘leggings’.

The single mother said she went into the school to complain but was soon told to leave by head teacher Jo Harlow.

Hours later, police arrived at Miss Doyle’s Allenton home. According to the 42-year-old carer, the school had accused her of ‘aggressive and threatening behaviour’ on the school premises.

Michelle Doyle said teachers at Merrill Academy, in Alvaston, Derbyshire, sent her daughter Libbi  home because her £6 trousers (pictured) from Asda looked like ‘leggings’

Speaking to Derbyshire Live, Miss Doyle admitted she swore but denied threatening any staff.

She said the episode, which happened on Monday morning, had left her so angry that she has now decided to pull Libbi, 11, out of the school permanently.

Miss Doyle said: ‘The school is a pure joke. My daughter has been wearing these trousers since September but suddenly she’s not allowed them.

‘It’s really upset her. I went to the school with a friend to ask for an explanation but they wouldn’t give me one. The head teacher then came out and said I needed to leave the premises.

‘I was so angry when they escorted us off the premises that I said ‘the school’s s***’ and that my daughter ‘won’t be coming back’.

Miss Doyle said the trousers worn by Libbi were perfectly smart and that she couldn't believe the school's stance. They are shown here on the Asda website

Miss Doyle said the trousers worn by Libbi were perfectly smart and that she couldn’t believe the school’s stance. They are shown here on the Asda website

The single mother (left) said she went into the school to complain but was soon told to leave by head teacher Jo Harlow

The single mother (left) said she went into the school to complain but was soon told to leave by head teacher Jo Harlow

‘Later on, the police came to my property and said I’d been accused of aggressive and threatening behaviour.

‘Out of frustration, I did swear – but I didn’t threaten anyone. I’m so angry about it that I’ve decided to pull Libbi out of the school. I’ve already started applying to get her into Noel-Baker or Chellaston Academy. 

‘In the meantime, I’ll provide her with some lessons at home.’

Miss Doyle said the trousers worn by Libbi were perfectly smart and that she couldn’t believe the school’s stance.

She said: ‘Libbi’s really shook up by this. Pupils are made to queue up at the school entrance so teachers can check they’re dressed properly.

‘It’s ridiculous. It wasn’t nice for Libbi when she was refused entry in front of everyone, especially as she suffers from ADHD and anxiety.’

Miss Doyle also has a 15-year-old daughter at Merrill Academy. However, she is reluctant to pull her out of the school as she has already started her GCSE courses.

Following the mother's comments, a spokesperson for Merrill Academy (pictured) said: 'Due to the nature of the parent engagement with staff, this is now a police matter'

Following the mother’s comments, a spokesperson for Merrill Academy (pictured) said: ‘Due to the nature of the parent engagement with staff, this is now a police matter’

‘It’s easier to find Libbi a new school as she’s only in Year 7,’ Miss Doyle explained.

Following the mother’s comments, a spokesperson for Merrill Academy said: ‘Due to the nature of the parent engagement with staff, this is now a police matter. Therefore, we cannot comment any further.’

Derbyshire police have been approached for comment.

It is not the first time police have been called about an incident at Merrill Academy since the start of 2020.

In January, three pupils from the school were assaulted in an incident that was believed to be racially motivated.

Three boys, aged 11, 12 and 13, were attacked by another group of youths on a canal path close to the school.

At the time, the school said it was assisting police with their investigation

 

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