Parents say children are coming home crying and traumatised after two secondary schools in Kent introduced new rules branded “draconian” and “barbaric”. Several Year 7 pupils at Sandwich Technology School were put in isolation on their first day, while children at Towers in Ashford now have to keep their arms crossed between tasks in lessons and adhere to new restrictions on clapping.
Isolation queues and uniform penalties
The school was recently taken over by the Barton Court Academy Trust and is now led by executive head Kirstin Cardus. Sandwich Tech informed parents it was adopting the Trust’s behaviour policy, in line with its other schools, before youngsters returned in September. But families were shocked when some new pupils were put in isolation rooms on their first day.
One mum said her Year 7 daughter received the punishment on her second day for having the wrong kind of trousers. Bethany Osborne says she sought permission for her child to wear flared leggings instead of the usual schoolwear because she has sensory issues. However, on day one, her daughter was changed into a skirt, and when she wore the same outfit on day two, she was punished.
“I’m angry,” said Ms Osborne. “She came out in floods of tears.” Another mum, who did not wish to be named, said her son, who has special educational needs, was put in isolation on his first day. “I didn't realise that children, in 25C heat, were not allowed to wear shorts,” she said. “So that was entirely my fault. However, on his first ever day of Year 7, for him to be sent to isolation and be put in trousers that were not just too tight around the tummy but incredibly short on the leg - he came home absolutely distraught.”
She says her son would not eat or speak when he came home, and refused to go to school the next day. “It's just absolutely barbaric,” she added. “These children need their first day to be encouraging and kind and encompassing - not to throw out the authoritarian punishments for really minor things on their first days. It’s really quite shocking.”
Parents describe 'detention camp' atmosphere
Meanwhile, another parent - who also wishes to remain anonymous - said their daughter, in Year 10, was put in isolation for two hours for having the wrong kind of shoes. She said about 80 other children were also in isolation on the same day. “They were queuing up the stairwell to get in there,” the mum said. “She had to stand 20 minutes before she could actually get in the room. It was just swamped in there.”
“If they needed to go to the toilet, they weren't allowed out. She tried to get a drink of water from her bag and was told she wasn't allowed to do this.” The parent said she does not believe the consequences fit the offence. “It’s like a detention camp. The punishment is extreme.”
However, one parent defended the school. “Our two, although only started last week, are really enjoying it so far,” they said. “When you pick up, the kids look smart and this morning - even on the streets of Sandwich - they were in full uniform and appeared to be politely making their way to school. The school sent out the uniform policy several times over the summer and also backed it up with, ‘This has not changed and it will be enforced’.”
School defends policy
Ms Cardus said the behaviour policy was approved by governors - and is the same as at The Charles Dickens School and Barton Manor School. The executive head added: “The school wrote to parents in Term 6 advising that the existing rules would be enforced from September to allow them time to prepare for the start of term. Students with incorrect footwear, where possible, are given shoes to wear.”
The behaviour policy states that staff will “reinforce expectations” around the school. It says that the uniform policy should be followed at all times, and adds: “Incorrect uniform will result in pupils being removed to isolation. We will hold a stock of uniform items to support pupils in addressing the uniform issue so they may rejoin learning.”
Parents at Towers in Ashford have also raised concerns about changes introduced this school year. One new rule is that pupils must sit with their arms crossed at the beginning of lessons and in between classes to avoid fidgeting. They are also expected to line up and have their equipment checked every morning. A lunchtime seating plan has also been brought in.
Another change is that pupils are now told to clap three times in unison, rather than traditional applause. This is to help accommodate students with sensory needs. One mum, who does not wish to be named, said: “There was no sharing information with parents prior. Suddenly there are these new rules and they're implementing them from day one. It’s been absolutely full-on.”
She said her daughter - who has special educational needs - mostly enjoyed school in Year 7, but now, going into Year 8, does not want to attend. She said: “She got in the car, burst into tears and said ‘I'm never going back’. I do understand that there's a need for consistency and discipline. They've got a ‘no excuses’ policy, but then you're not taking on the individual needs of the child, and looking at the wider picture of their learning needs. It feels draconian. It seems that the sanctions are now quicker and more instant, and there's less room to kind of give them a warning.”
Towers has a new head teacher, Tara McVey, following the previous head’s retirement. She says pupils have “had a fantastic start to the new school year, looking smart and focused in every lesson”. Mrs McVey confirmed Towers has “made a few changes this year” which they have now “clarified with parents”.
The crossed-arms rule is part of a school initiative to keep children focused in lessons and to avoid distracting others. The lunchtime seating plan stems from the ‘family lunch’ initiative already introduced under the previous head teacher. It aims to ensure no child has to eat alone in the lower year groups, but parents say it is being enforced more strictly this year. Mrs McVey added: “Over last year, we gave out 380,000 merits and are aiming even higher this year. Our students deserve to be celebrated and we will make sure that we do so.”
