ANGRY parents have complained to John Of Gaunt School about their children continually being put in isolation for breaching its strict uniform policy.

They have mocked the policy for being “ridiculous” and “inconsistent” after being asked to fork out their hard-earned cash for new trousers that teachers find unacceptable.

They say parents on low incomes cannot afford to keep buying trousers and high street fashion stores don’t sell the style being demanded by the school.

One parent Lou Gover, said: “My 14-year-old daughter was sent to isolation on Monday for wearing trousers that were apparently too tight.

“It’s ridiculous. We were told the trousers were fine a month ago but today the same trousers are not acceptable.

“The teacher told my daughter her legs were too big for that style of trouser. She’s only been wearing them for over a month after we had to buy new ones in April.

“They told me they would have to keep her in isolation until they were replaced. I told them I would keep her off school.”

Mrs Gover, 42, from Trowbridge, said: “I have been offered a refund and have spoken to the head about comments made by teachers.

“This has gone on for months and caused a lot of stress where different teachers have different rules. It’s all costly and stressful for parents and the children.”

Another parent, Lucy Daniels, 35, of Summerdown Walk, Trowbridge, said her daughter Hayley, 13, has been told her trousers were “too short” and showed “too much ankle” – even though the school had provided them.

She added: “It’s getting beyond a joke now. The trousers she’s wearing are ones the school provided for her because at the time we were still in lockdown and I could not go out and buy her any.

“She still wears the trousers to this day and still continues to get in isolation for the trousers the school provided.”

Mrs Daniels claims different teachers are applying the policy inconsistently – one teacher says the trousers are okay while another says they are unacceptable.

Paul Skipp, the school’s headteacher said they have developed high standards and expectations and part of that is to be consistent in their approach to upholding the uniform policy.

He said: “Before half term we wrote to parents on four separate occasions reminding them that all students are required to be in full uniform. We are delighted that virtually all students adhered to the policy as they returned from half term.

“Parents of a small minority of children not in school uniform were contacted; they swiftly supported by bringing in the correct uniform whilst their children remained learning. By the end of the first day all students were fully complying with the policy.

“As a school we have recognised the economic difficulties of the pandemic and offered to provide uniform or reimburse any parent who is experiencing financial challenges, as we have done on many occasions.

“We would like to thank our parents for their continued support.”