A 15-YEAR-OLD was sent home from school after teachers claimed her school trousers were too tight around her bum.
Just weeks ago the girls were banned from wearing skirts because they distracted the male teachers.
Harriet Dale, a pupil at Trentham High School in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, was told to go home and change her trousers or face isolation yesterday morning on her first day back after the summer break.
Her mum Helen Dale, 41, was shocked and has slammed staff for singling out her daughter just months after the school imposed a blanket ban on skirts.
Helen, who works as a retail manager in Birmingham, said: “I’m absolutely appalled.
“They told my daughter her trousers were distracting and were too tight around her legs and bum. It’s totally unacceptable.
“I just couldn’t believe it when Harriet told me what had happened. She’s a really hard worker and she’s been working all summer getting ready for her GCSE year.
“I wasn’t happy when they banned skirts back in July because it’s so ridiculous but this is another level. It’s outrageous.
“I can’t believe the school is kicking up a fuss over something so pathetic. First it was skirts, now it’s trousers. Their priorities are all wrong.”
The school’s decision comes just months after it imposed a blanket ban on skirts because male staff were “embarrassed” at the sight of female pupils wearing them.
Harriet said: “It’s really upset me. I was looking forward to my first day back and couldn’t believe I had to miss assembly.
“It’s really uncomfortable anyway thinking that our teachers weren’t comfortable with us wearing skirts and I know I’m not the only one who thinks that.
“People were deliberately picked out.
“I was with a girl wearing exactly the same pair of trousers but, because I have slightly larger legs than her, I was told my trousers are too tight and that I must go home and change.
“First the school told us skirts are not acceptable, now we are only allowed to wear trousers after they’ve been inspected.
“It’s really uncomfortable to think you could be walking around the corridors and teachers will be looking you up and down.
“I know I’ve got slightly bigger legs than some people, it doesn’t need pointing out.”
“I stayed at a friend’s house last night for a bit of moral support, I just hope I can get on with my schoolwork now.”
The offending trousers were bought from Next this summer. Harriet has two pairs of tapered trousers and a pair of bootcut ones – but only the bootcut design are acceptable according to school regulations.
Helen said: “I’m worried it will make Harriet conscious of her size when she should have much bigger worries as she takes her GCSEs.
“It’s beyond belief. They shouldn’t be focused on what people are wearing at all and the fact that they’ve singled Harriet out is really out of order.
Dad Simon, 53, who runs his own business, said: “I just can’t believe it.
“It boils down to the headteacher. Harriet’s even told me they’re planning mixed swimming classes.
“How can they be comfortable with mixed swimming classes but cause such a fuss over skirts and trousers? It’s beyond belief.”
Headteacher Dr Rowena Blencowe, said “The vast majority of pupils turned up to school wearing perfectly suitable clothing.
“But there was a small minority of elder pupils who decided to push the boundaries – 10 in total. They claim our rules do not make it clear but that is not fair.
“We have sent out several letters to parents, plus advice on our website, and even held an assembly.
“Our guidelines are clear. It is up to parents to make sure their child attends school wearing trousers which suit their shape.
“Trousers which fit one pupil may be too tight on another, we have to draw the line somewhere.”
It comes after a school banned 120 girls from classes because their skirts were deemed ‘too short’.
And last week Garry Hill was also sent home because of his ‘Sergio Aguero’ haircut.