A FURIOUS mum has blasted her daughter’s school after she was made to remove a bracelet given to her by her dead dad.
Hayley Bouwer-Oliver, who attends Peacehaven Community School, in East Sussex, was left “scared and anxious” after being singled out in a hall full of her peers.
Images Andrew Gardner/The Argus. Email [email protected] was told she had to remove the bracelet her dad gave her before he passed away[/caption]
The family were struck by tragedy four years ago when the year 11 pupil’s father passed away from bacterial meningitis.
Now, in his memory, she always wears a bracelet gifted to her by her late dad.
But the shocked student was ordered to remove it.
The incident has caused Hayley so much distress that her mum, Shereen Bouwer, has pulled her out of school.
Hayley, who is diagnosed with Autism, also wears a fidget ring to prevent her from picking at her skin – which similarly had to be taken off.
Fuming mum, Shereen, told The Argus her daughter is usually taken to a separate classroom when she arrives at school to help with her fear of big crowds.
“But on Monday, she was taken to the school hall where all other students were having their uniform inspected,” Shereen continued.
Hayley claimed a staff member said she would be allowed to wear the ring on a necklace if it was covered by her shirt.
“How is she supposed to wear the ring under her shirt and tie? It doesn’t make sense,” added Shereen.
Erin, Hayley’s sister, also has her own sentimental bracelet and was likewise ordered to remove it.
The confused parent claimed her children had been allowed to wear the jewellery in previous years.
In fear of confrontation, both pupils followed the rules and were told “well done for making the correct decision”, according to Shereen.
A terrified Hayley said: “It made me feel bad, like I had done something wrong.
“I was scared and anxious. I trusted my teacher a lot but they took me into a situation that I was not comfortable with.”
Hayley locked herself in one of the school toilets following the incident.
Her mum claimed the school were aware of her daughter’s needs and have files on record showing Hayley’s anxiety can cause disruptions to her learning if they are not met.
“I know how hard my children try just to go in to school, so for this to have happened is very frustrating,” she said.
“They make us parents feel like we are being unreasonable, like we want to break the rules and that we are using our children’s issues as an excuse.”
Peacehaven Community School have been contacted for comment.
However, the school’s policy reads: “Building self-esteem occurs inside and outside the classroom.
“Every student at PCS is valued. Our community celebrates individual style and skills. We will strive to ensure that our differences do not become barrier to participation.
“We recognise that we cannot achieve true equality of opportunity and outcome for all by treating everyone the same.
“We have due regard to ensure that persons with a protected characteristic are not negatively impacted as a result of our decision or policy making.”
It comes after other parents have hit back at their child’s school over bitter uniform battles.
One mum was raging after claiming teachers at her daughter’s school a school “tugged” at her trouser waistband and forced her into isolation.
Elizabeth Moore, who has a daughter in Year 11 at Beacon Hill Academy in Sedgley, claimed girls are being forced to change their clothes in cupboards.
Meanwhile, a dad slammed one the UK’s “strictest” schools for forcing his daughter to wear shoes that gave her blisters.
Elsewhere in the UK, a mum recently claimed her daughter was sent home from her first day at secondary school because of her new shoes.
Images Andrew Gardner/The Argus. Email [email protected] was also forced to remove a ring that stops the pupil from scratching at her skin[/caption]
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