DOZENS of pupils were put in isolation at a school for sporting Union Jacks on a “culture day”, furious parents claimed yesterday.
Leanne Wehrle said her 15-year-old daughter Isobelle, who draped a flag over her shoulders, was among those held in meeting rooms.
Paul TongeIsobelle Wehrle, 15, is one of dozens of UK students who have been put into isolation for wearing a Union Flag, pictured with mum Leanne[/caption]
Scarlett, 13, was also punished for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it, pictured with mum Jenny
And she said when Isobelle questioned the decision she ended up being suspended for five days for arguing.
The row echoes The Sun’s revelations of a girl at another school being banned from a “diversity day” for wearing a Union Jack dress.
In the latest case, children at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Oldbury, West Mids, were asked to wear outfits to reflect their heritage.
Leanne, 39, said: “Lots wore their flags over their shoulders, and others opted to wear them around their waists as skirts.
“Isobelle was put into an isolation room almost immediately, as were about 30 other kids. Yet many other children wore flags from the countries where their families originated, such as Jamaica and Spain, and had no problem.”
Bar owner Mrs Wehrle added: “Isobelle and her friends were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty.
“When she asked the head why, all he could say was, ‘Because it’s not allowed’. Isobelle never gets into trouble — not until this happened, at least.”
Charity shop worker Jenny Priest said her 13-year-old daughter Scarlett was also put into isolation for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it.
Jenny, 38, said: “Isobelle stuck up for my daughter and she got into trouble for that.”
Last night the school insisted pupils had been allowed to wear Union Jacks.
But it added: “We have clear guidelines on non-uniform days. No student was suspended due to their choice of outfit on the day.”
Last week The Sun told how Courtney Wright, 12, was banned for wearing a Union Jack dress at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire.
The school later apologised.
Roland LeonLast week The Sun told how Courtney Wright, 12, was banned for wearing a Union Jack dress[/caption]
PACourtney with her dad, who brought the case to national attention[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
