'Proud' dad slams Millfield High School for 'authoritarian and sexist' uniform policy after daughter punished

A Thornton father has slammed a high school for its ‘ridiculous, authoritarian and sexist’ school uniform policy after his daughter was punished for not wearing the correct attire.

David Allum pulled his daughter, Chloe, out of isolation at Millfield School yesterday after she had been removed from class because she was wearing a plain black skirt instead of a branded skirt featuring the school’s logo.

Now, he says, she is at home, away from her friends and classes, because a solution cannot seemingly be found. The 11-year-old is in Year 7 and has only been at her new high school for three weeks.

“The school have pulled Chloe aside on multiple occasions for wearing this skirt and have, this week, placed her in isolation, away from her friends, unable to take part in lessons, and in a room with misbehaving, violent, and disruptive children,” said David. “All for wearing a skirt missing a little bit of white cotton.

“As a result, I went to the school yesterday, rescued her from isolation, and brought her home, informing the school that she would not return until we had a meeting with the headteacher to discuss this matter,” he added “The headteacher now refuses to meet with us and the school refuses to discuss this matter further.

“Putting her in isolation, for me, was over the line.”

David, of Devonshire Avenue, has a disability and is unable to work, prompting him to admit that finances are tight, particularly following the cuts to the Free School Meals programme this summer.

Because of economic pressures, he says he was struggling to get together all Chloe’s uniform for the new school year and her transition to high school, pointing out that his daughter’s school jumper, tie, PE kit all needed to be branded with the school logo - a requirement which he said was very expensive.

As a result and in an effort to ease the financial burden, David, 38, decided to buy a plain black school skirt instead of the one sold by the school, located on Belvedere Road, featuring the school logo - a logo, he points out, which the school changed this summer, necessitating all parents to buy new uniform

“We have also put it to the school that the policy is sexist,” David said. “The boys don’t require a logo on their trousers, or a particular style - they can wear regular fit, slim etc - that was a point that Chloe raised. I’ve asked her every step of the way whether she wants to fight this and she does - she wants to stand up for herself. I am very proud of her.”

David is also concerned that Chloe won’t be able to attend a residential trip planned for later this week - a trip designed for pupils to get to know one another at the start of their high school journey.

What has the school said?

Nicola Regan, headteacher of Millfield School, said: "We have a clear uniform policy which has been communicated to all parents and carers. This includes a range of approved uniform options available for all students, including trousers or skirts, and is designed to promote equality, consistency and a sense of belonging within the school community.

"Our uniform policy is fully in line with DofE guidance stipulating that branded items be limited to three per child, and where families experience difficulties in meeting uniform requirements, we work with them to identify appropriate support and solutions wherever possible.

"We remain committed to working positively with parents and carers and encourage any concerns to be raised directly with the school so that they can be discussed and resolved appropriately."