Parents are fuming after a school sent their children home because they were not wearing the “correct” skirts. Eleven pupils from various year groups at Cottenham Village College in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, were suspended and sent home on Monday after their uniforms were deemed to be incorrect.

The pupils were collected in a room and informed that failure to change into the proper uniforms would result in them being sent home, reports Cambridgeshire Live. The school claimed to have “very clear expectations” about uniforms and to use “a range of ways” to inform pupils and their families of these requirements.

However, incensed parents have blasted the ruling, saying that their kids have been forced to stand for inspection every morning even though they leave the house each morning looking “absolutely smart”.

Alexandra, a year 8 girl who was sent home, was told that her grey knee-length skirt was made of the incorrect fabric, according to her mum Diane Hurst. The mother was “absolutely appalled” her daughter was sent home for the skirt she had worn throughout the entirety of year seven and the first month of the autumn term.

She explained: “My daughter, when she leaves, looks absolutely smart. Every morning when they get to school they’re standing out in the playground and they’re actually inspected, and if they don’t match up they have to go to a ’boutique’ to change the item of clothing.”

Alexandra said she was thrown into isolation after being instructed to change her skirt and unable to find a replacement in the ’boutique’ – which has spare uniforms – that fitted properly. Her parents were then told to come and pick her up from school.

Cottenham Village College has defended its strict uniform practices
Cottenham Village College has defended its strict uniform practices (Image: Google)

She added: “Why can’t they just go in if they’re looking presentable? I think they should concentrate more on the educational side.”

Amelia, a year nine student, said that she was called aside and informed that her skirt was rolled up. She then demonstrated to the staff that this was not the case – but she was still escorted to a room full of girls from various year groups. She said: “It stresses me out a little bit because I’m there to learn and I want to get an education and they’re really stopping that.”

Chelsea, a year 11 pupil, wore a skirt to school that was “the right colour, the right length, it’s just the wrong material,” according to her mother, Becky George. Following the event, Ms George expressed concern for the mental health of the kids, saying: “They just care about their policies and that’s it.”

A spokesperson for Cottenham Village College (CVC), said a “small number of students refused to change” and that parents were “offered the opportunity” to bring in items that fit with its uniform demands. They said: “We have very clear expectations on uniform, and this has been communicated to families on multiple occasions in a range of ways; in addition to weekly reminders about uniform we have been in touch with individual families where there have been issues.

“Our website also makes our expectations very clear. All families were invited to let us know if they were struggling to provide uniform for any reason so that we can help source items. This week, students arriving to school not in the right uniform were offered the opportunity to change into brand new uniform items loaned by school so that they could continue the school day with no disruption to their learning.

“A small number of students refused to change, and each had a follow up call home where the parent was offered the opportunity to either bring in the correct item of uniform, or have a conversation with their child to ask them to change into the items of uniform loaned by school so that they could attend lessons. Girls have the choice of wearing grey trousers, or a grey knee-length skirt – both of these can either be bought at any supermarket or the uniform shop.”

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