Schoolgirl sent home on first day back as trousers were 'too tight'

A 14-year-old schoolgirl was sent home on the first day of term because teachers said her trousers were too tight.

Ellisha Oliver was one of a number of pupils at South Shields Community College told to change their trousers because they broke the new uniform policy.

According to the new rules, pupils must wear black trousers with a 14cm flare at the bottom.

When Ellisha turned up in straight-legged trousers, she said she was handed an Asda pair the school had bought and told to change into them.

Those who refused had their parents called to collect them or were placed in isolation.

Ellisha, who is 4ft 11ins, said the trousers she was given were too long and she did not want to put them on as they would be dragging on the floor.

Her mother Stacy Oliver, who came to pick her up, told the South Shields Gazette: "I've never known anything like it.

"I sent her to school wearing a perfectly fine pair of trousers. She's ended up missing a day because of this."

Another mother, who did not want to be named, told the local newspaper: "I don't see what difference a pleat should make to their education.

"They ended up missing lessons because of this - if I were to keep them off without a valid reason, I would be fined £120 for truancy."

The school's new headteacher Allie Denholm said: "All students were treated with respect and dignity.

"There have been no changes to the uniform policy. We are just tightening it up.”