A MOTHER has spoken of her frustration after her daughter was told to remove a thermal vest from under her school uniform because it was not in keeping with school policy.

Elizabeth Webster, 40, of the Holbrook area of Trowbridge, said she was ‘stunned’ when her 13-year-old daughter Cally came home from St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon on Tuesday, to say she had been told by the headteacher, James Colquhoun, to remove the thermal top.

Mrs Webster said: “I’m amazed. They have so many other issues they could be dealing with and for a child to be told she can’t wear a vest, I thought was rather silly.

“It’s a thing they are clamping down on in all of the newsletters that t-shirts are not part of the uniform, but this is a vest, for warmth.

“There was just a tiny little bit of the vest showing at the neckline.

“She was fairly upset about it because she is a responsible child.”

In the school’s Connect newsletter, published on February 13, it warns that students not adhering to the uniform policy would be sent home after the half-term break.

In reference to school uniform, the newsletter said: “As ever at St Laurence the massive majority go to some trouble to wrap up warm and manage to operate perfectly well within the framework of the governors’ policy on school uniform.

“But there remains an awkward squad who seem to delight in taking any chance to breach the school uniform.”

Mr Colquhoun told the Wiltshire Times: “For years the school has had a uniform policy which includes polo shirts and other sweatshirts.

“A t-shirt and other various undergarments have never been seen as acceptable. We have found there to be complete support for this approach.

“We are sorry if somebody has found the policy difficult to follow.

“A uniform policy is about being members of the team and it is sending a message that there is an appropriate way to dress for school.

“A thermal top is not a vital garment for today’s climate.

“If they are visible they are at odds with the uniform policy.”

Another parent expressed their concern at Mr Colquhoun’s policies last month, when he suspended a 15-year-old pupil for bringing snow into the school.

He had previously banned pupils from throwing snowballs within the school grounds.