PUPILS are being given the chance to change uniform policy after a pupil was sent home for wearing cropped trousers.
Jessica Bottomley was told to change by teachers at Royds Hall High School, Paddock, after turning up to school on Friday wearing cropped trousers.
Headteacher Melanie Williams told the year 11 pupil to go home and change as the attire was not part of the agreed uniform.
But Jessica’s mother thinks the school should have allowed her to wear them.
Theresa Bottomley, of Longwood, said: “Everybody who has seen Jessica in her cropped trousers said she looks smart, they are the sort of trousers people would wear in an office.
“They show as much of her leg as a skirt would do and she’s allowed to wear skirts, so why not these?”
Jessica is currently sitting her GCSEs, but does not have another exam until Wednesday.
Headteacher Melanie Williams said pupils must stick to school rules – or do something positive to change them.
She said the school gave all its pupils the chance to suggest ideas to the governors, including suggestions about the uniform.
Mrs Williams said: “Jessica wasn’t sent home. She was wearing a uniform that is inappropriate and we gave her the chance to go home and change.
“I understand it is hot weather, but our students still need to dress appropriately, as do the teachers.
“Our students have told us through the school council they like the uniform and they find it comfortable to wear and practical.
“The rules are set by the governors and we stick to them.
“If the students want to change a policy or suggest an idea, such as culottes or cropped trousers, then we would encourage them to go to the governors.
“Of course the governors could say no and refuse the idea as is the case in democracy, but we do give our students a voice.”
