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The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Second schoolgirl ‘put in isolation' for wearing Union Jack on ‘culture day' as yet another school sparks woke rule fury
A FURIOUS mum told how her daughter was among dozens of children put into 'isolation' for wearing Union Jack flags to celebrate a culture day. Pupils at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Oldbury, West Midlands, had been asked to wear something to 10 Isobelle Wehrle and her mum Leanne of Oldbury, West Midlands Credit: Paul Tonge 10 Isobelle was suspended for wearing the Union Jack flag to school Credit: Paul Tonge 10 Leanne and Mitchell insist their daughter isn't disruptive Credit: Roland Leon But head teacher Peter McKinniss objected to One pupil who challenged him over his no-flags policy, Isobelle Wehrle, 15, was then sent home for arguing and suspended for five days. Another girl, Scarlett Priest, 13, claims she was put into the meeting room for wearing a white top with a Union Jack on it. It comes after we reported how a pupil at another school, Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, was banned from a 'diversity day' for wearing a Union Jack dress. Read more on New Isobelle's furious mother, Leanne, 39, said: 'Isobelle was absolutely devastated when she was suspended just for asking the head why she and other pupils weren't allowed to wear Union Jack flags. "They'd been asked to go to school that day wearing something that reflected their heritage and cultural identity, so it seemed appropriate to her to wear the flag. 'Lots of kids were doing the same - some wore their flags over their shoulders, like my daughter, and others opted to wear the around their waists as skirts. 'She set off for school with her flag and she was in good spirits, but almost immediately, after she arrived at school she was put into an isolation room. Most read in The Sun 'Isobelle was put into one of many meeting rooms the school has with about 30 other kids. 'It's absolutely ridiculous. Mum is instantly mortified as she returns from the school run, looks in the mirror & realises her almighty outfit fail "Yet many other children used culture day to wear flags from the countries where their families originated, such as Jamaica and Spain, and had no problem whatsoever. 'They were allowed to wear their flags with pride.' Charity shop worker Jenny Priest claims her daughter Scarlett, 13, was also put into isolation for wearing a white t-shirt with a union jack printed on it. Jenny, 38, said: 'When she went in she was told 'She was put into the isolation room and was really upset. She has never been in isolation before and has a brilliant school record. 'There were about 30 kids in there and they all had some kind of British thing or 'It was obvious that's why they had pulled her aside. 'I went to pick her up and I saw kids walking around the playground with flags and tops of other countries like Jamaica and Albania. They weren't put into isolation. 'Isobelle stuck up for my daughter saying she shouldn't be in there and she got into trouble for that.' Bar owner Mrs Wehrle, of Oldbury, added: 'Isobelle and her friends were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty. 10 Isobelle was sent home for challenging the school's policy Credit: Paul Tonge 10 Courtney Wright was banned from attending cultural diversity day on Friday for showing up in a Union Jack outfit Credit: Roland Leon 10 Courtney is just one of a number of pupils told they couldn't wear the Union Jack Credit: Roland Leon "She took the suspension very badly because she couldn't understand why the head had been so unfair. 'All she had done was question him in a very mature way about what was wrong with the British flag, but all he could reply with was: 'Because it's not allowed.'. 'He gave her no explanation beyond that. "Isobelle is not a disruptive child. She works incredibly hard and she's doing well at school. 'She always tries her best and her behaviour is impeccable. 'She's never late and she never gets into trouble – until this happened, at least.' She was put into the isolation room and was really upset. She has never been in isolation before and has a brilliant school record. Jenny Priest Mrs Wehrle said around 60 per cent of children at the 2,000-pupil school were from non-British heritage. On the day Isobelle was suspended for five days, other children were sent home for just one day for fighting, according to her mother. Another pupil, who climbed over the school gates after arriving late that day, was suspended for two days, she added. Leanne said: 'Why did Isobelle get suspended for five days just for asking mature, reasonable question? 'It feels like the headteacher reacted in a very childish way and I think she deserves an apology. "She's halfway through her GCSE course and that should be the school's priority. This is going to stay with her for a long time.' She's halfway through her GCSE course and that should be the school's priority. This is going to stay with her for a long time Leanne Wehrle Earlier this week, The Sun reported how a pupil at another school, Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, was banned from a 'diversity day' for wearing a Union Jack dress. Heartbroken pupil Courtney Wright, 12, was told: 'You get to celebrate being British every day, this is for everybody else.' The Year 7 pupil teamed her dress — similar to the one worn by Spice Girl Geri Halliwell in the 1990s — with a matching bowler hat. She also planned to read a speech celebrating tea, Shakespeare, fish and chips and the royals. But the grade-A student was stopped by teachers who gave her the option of wearing a second-hand uniform instead. Courtney refused before her dad Stuart Field, 47, arrived to collect her from school. He accused teachers of 'virtue signalling' and said he had since received a grovelling apology. It feels like the headteacher reacted in a very childish way and I think she deserves an apology Leanne Wehrle A spokesperson for Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, said: 'As part of our recent Culture Day, students were invited to wear a wide range of outfits and traditional clothing that reflected their heritage and cultural backgrounds – including those which represent British culture such as the Union Jack. 'On non-uniform days, we have clear and consistent guidelines in place that apply to all students, although no student was suspended due to their choice of outfit on the day. 'These help us maintain a positive and focused learning environment, while still allowing students to enjoy and celebrate special occasions. 'All our policies are designed with the best interests of our students at heart, and we remain proud of the inclusive and respectful culture we promote across our school community.' 10 Leanne called her daughter incredibly hard working Credit: Paul Tonge 10 Leanne and Mitchell believe the school owe their daughter an apology Credit: Roland Leon 10 Leanne said the events will stay with her daughter 'for a long time' Credit: Facebook / Leanne Wehrle 10 The couple said their daughter 'always tries her best and her behaviour is impeccable' Credit: Roland Leon
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Second schoolgirl ‘put in isolation' for wearing Union Jack on ‘culture day' as yet another school sparks woke rule fury
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FURIOUS mum told how her daughter was among dozens of children put into 'isolation' for wearing Union Jack flags to celebrate a culture day. Pupils at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Oldbury, West Midlands, had been asked to wear something to reflect their heritage for the day. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Isobelle Wehrle and her mum Leanne of Oldbury, West Midlands Credit: Paul Tonge 10 Isobelle was suspended for wearing the Union Jack flag to school Credit: Paul Tonge 10 Leanne and Mitchell insist their daughter isn't disruptive Credit: Roland Leon But head teacher Peter McKinniss objected to British flags and had the pupils wearing them pulled out of class and held in a meeting room, it is claimed. One pupil who challenged him over his no-flags policy, Isobelle Wehrle, 15, was then sent home for arguing and suspended for five days. Another girl, Scarlett Priest, 13, claims she was put into the meeting room for wearing a white top with a Union Jack on it. It comes after we reported how a pupil at another school, Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, was banned from a 'diversity day' for wearing a Union Jack dress. Read more on New DRESS ROW School which banned Union Jack dress closes early for summer over 'threats' Isobelle's furious mother, Leanne, 39, said: 'Isobelle was absolutely devastated when she was suspended just for asking the head why she and other pupils weren't allowed to wear Union Jack flags. "They'd been asked to go to school that day wearing something that reflected their heritage and cultural identity, so it seemed appropriate to her to wear the flag. 'Lots of kids were doing the same - some wore their flags over their shoulders, like my daughter, and others opted to wear the around their waists as skirts. 'She set off for school with her flag and she was in good spirits, but almost immediately, after she arrived at school she was put into an isolation room. 'Isobelle was put into one of many meeting rooms the school has with about 30 other kids. 'It's absolutely ridiculous. Mum is instantly mortified as she returns from the school run, looks in the mirror & realises her almighty outfit fail "Yet many other children used culture day to wear flags from the countries where their families originated, such as Jamaica and Spain, and had no problem whatsoever. 'They were allowed to wear their flags with pride.' Charity shop worker Jenny Priest claims her daughter Scarlett, 13, was also put into isolation for wearing a white t-shirt with a union jack printed on it. Jenny, 38, said: 'When she went in she was told the jeans she was wearing were too revealing but I think the real reason was because she was wearing a union jack. 'She was put into the isolation room and was really upset. She has never been in isolation before and has a brilliant school record. 'There were about 30 kids in there and they all had some kind of British thing or England top. 'It was obvious that's why they had pulled her aside. 'I went to pick her up and I saw kids walking around the playground with flags and tops of other countries like Jamaica and Albania. They weren't put into isolation. 'Isobelle stuck up for my daughter saying she shouldn't be in there and she got into trouble for that.' Bar owner Mrs Wehrle, of Oldbury, added: 'Isobelle and her friends were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty. 10 Isobelle was sent home for challenging the school's policy Credit: Paul Tonge 10 Courtney Wright was banned from attending cultural diversity day on Friday for showing up in a Union Jack outfit Credit: Roland Leon 10 Courtney is just one of a number of pupils told they couldn't wear the Union Jack Credit: Roland Leon "She took the suspension very badly because she couldn't understand why the head had been so unfair. 'All she had done was question him in a very mature way about what was wrong with the British flag, but all he could reply with was: 'Because it's not allowed.'. 'He gave her no explanation beyond that. "Isobelle is not a disruptive child. She works incredibly hard and she's doing well at school. 'She always tries her best and her behaviour is impeccable. 'She's never late and she never gets into trouble – until this happened, at least.' She was put into the isolation room and was really upset. She has never been in isolation before and has a brilliant school record. Jenny Priest Mrs Wehrle said around 60 per cent of children at the 2,000-pupil school were from non-British heritage. On the day Isobelle was suspended for five days, other children were sent home for just one day for fighting, according to her mother. Another pupil, who climbed over the school gates after arriving late that day, was suspended for two days, she added. Leanne said: 'Why did Isobelle get suspended for five days just for asking mature, reasonable question? 'It feels like the headteacher reacted in a very childish way and I think she deserves an apology. "She's halfway through her GCSE course and that should be the school's priority. This is going to stay with her for a long time.' She's halfway through her GCSE course and that should be the school's priority. This is going to stay with her for a long time Leanne Wehrle Earlier this week, The Sun reported how a pupil at another school, Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, was banned from a 'diversity day' for wearing a Union Jack dress. Heartbroken pupil Courtney Wright, 12, was told: 'You get to celebrate being British every day, this is for everybody else.' The Year 7 pupil teamed her dress — similar to the one worn by Spice Girl Geri Halliwell in the 1990s — with a matching bowler hat. She also planned to read a speech celebrating tea, Shakespeare, fish and chips and the royals. But the grade-A student was stopped by teachers who gave her the option of wearing a second-hand uniform instead. Courtney refused before her dad Stuart Field, 47, arrived to collect her from school. He accused teachers of 'virtue signalling' and said he had since received a grovelling apology. It feels like the headteacher reacted in a very childish way and I think she deserves an apology Leanne Wehrle A spokesperson for Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy, said: 'As part of our recent Culture Day, students were invited to wear a wide range of outfits and traditional clothing that reflected their heritage and cultural backgrounds – including those which represent British culture such as the Union Jack. 'On non-uniform days, we have clear and consistent guidelines in place that apply to all students, although no student was suspended due to their choice of outfit on the day. 'These help us maintain a positive and focused learning environment, while still allowing students to enjoy and celebrate special occasions. 'All our policies are designed with the best interests of our students at heart, and we remain proud of the inclusive and respectful culture we promote across our school community.' 10 Leanne called her daughter incredibly hard working Credit: Paul Tonge 10 Leanne and Mitchell believe the school owe their daughter an apology Credit: Roland Leon 10 Leanne said the events will stay with her daughter 'for a long time' Credit: Facebook / Leanne Wehrle
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Showing his true colours? What Union Jack dress row family REALLY think of stepfather who thrust girl into spotlight and triggered political storm
The family of the 12-year-old girl who was banned from wearing a Union Jack dress to her school's 'Culture Day' are furious over her stepfather's decision to thrust her into the national spotlight. Year Seven pupil Courtney Wright was prevented by Bilton School in Rugby in Warwickshire from wearing the flag dress and the resulting row dominated the national media conversation and was even discussed in Parliament.
Sky News
18-07-2025
- Sky News
School that took girl out of class for wearing Union Jack dress closes after receiving 'extremist abuse'
A school that took a 12-year-old girl out of a diversity class for wearing a Union Jack dress has told parents it has closed early for summer after being the target of "extremist abuse". Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire, said the "difficult decision" had been made in the "interest of student and staff safety". The school, which is part of the Stowe Valley Multi-Academy Trust, had earlier offered its "unreserved apologies" after saying an incident on Friday 11 July had caused "considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family and members of the wider community". Courtney Wright's father Stuart Field had written on Facebook last week that the girl had been removed from a "Culture Celebration Day" without being able to make a speech on why being British was important to her. Mr Field said the speech was going to reference drinking tea, fish and chips and the values of fairness and politeness. In a letter to parents yesterday, the school said: "I am writing to inform you, with great regret, that we have taken the difficult decision to close the school tomorrow, Friday 18 July 2025, in the interest of student and staff safety." The letter continues: "As many of you are aware, over the last week the school has been the target of extremist abuse, online and via our telephone systems, which deeply saddens us. The nature and tone of this abuse has escalated in recent days including personal threats to staff. "While we have been working closely with our multi-agency partners to address the situation, our primary responsibility remains the safety and wellbeing of every child and member of staff." The letter was signed by the school's headteacher and the CEO of the Stowe Valley Multi-Academy Trust. Today was supposed to be the school's last day before closing at 12.30pm for the summer holidays. How did the row first emerge? Mr Field wrote in his Facebook post that he was on his way to collect Courtney from school and that she was "currently being made to sit at reception waiting for me". He continued: "The reason? It's cultural diversity day at school where children can wear clothing representing their culture and write a speech about their heritage. She's been told it's not for her as she gets to celebrate being British everyday." There is no suggestion Mr Field or anybody he knows is linked to the abuse the school says it has been receiving over the past week. School apologises In a statement issued on its behalf by the Stowe Valley Multi-Academy Trust, the school later said: "On Friday 11 July, an incident occurred during our Culture Celebration Day that caused considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family, and members of the wider community. "We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. "We have since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. "We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage." The statement, which said the school was proud of the diversity of its students and the rich heritage they bring to the community, added: "As a school, we are reviewing our policies and strengthening staff training to ensure our practices reflect our values of inclusion, respect, and understanding for all. "We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued, and included." The school had billed the day as an opportunity for pupils to wear attire reflecting their nationality or family heritage, rather than a school uniform.
The Irish Sun
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
School which banned girl, 12, from ‘diversity day' for Union Jack dress closes early for summer over ‘extremist threats'
THE SCHOOL which banned a girl from wearing a Union Jack dress has been forced to close following "extremist threats". Courtney, 12, had chosen to wear the dress as part of the Advertisement 4 Courtney was banned from wearing a Union Jack dress at her school Credit: Roland Leon 4 Now, the school has been shut down following 'extremist' threats Credit: Roland Leon Bilton School in Rugby, The school released a letter to parents on Thursday in which is said it was receiving "extremist abuse online and via our telephone systems". Headteacher Jayne Delves and Ranjit Samra, CEO of Stowe Valley Multi-Academy Trust, both said that members of staff had been threatened. The letter said that the "nature and tone" of the threats had escalated in recent days too. Advertisement Read More on UK News The letter continued: "While we have been working closely with our multi-agency partners to address the situation, our primary responsibility remains the safety and wellbeing of every child and member of staff. "This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We understand the disruption this may cause to your families and your child's education, but the safety of our school community must come first." The abuse followed an online frenzy over Courtney's decision to wear the now controversial dress on her school's Culture Celebration Day. Courtney had chosen the Union Jack dress in reference to the iconic outfit worn by Spice Girl Geri Halliwell. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive However, she was allegedly told: 'You get to celebrate being British every day, this is for everybody else.' The 12-year-old had planned to read a speech about tea, Shakespeare, fish and chips and the royals as part of her presentation. Sir Keir issues rallying cry to 'reclaim our flag' for St George's Day as PM savagely attacks those who 'sow division' Courtney was offered the chance to wear second-hand uniform, instead of the dress she had chosen. When she refused, her father, Stuart Field, arrived at the school and took her home. Advertisement Stuart said the school had issued an apology before slamming them for "virtue signalling". He said: 'Her head of year bizarrely said that if she had worn a suit of armour or a nurse's outfit, she probably would have been allowed. It's ridiculous. "The irony is they were having a cultural diversity day and yet they singled out a group of people. 'She's a Advertisement Stuart added that another mum at the school told him that her son had been banned from wearing a farmer's outfit. Ahead of the event, the school's headteacher had described the Culture Celebration day as an opportunity for "celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school community". 4 Bilton School in Rugby says that its members of staff have been 'threatened' Credit: Roland Leon In her speech, Courtney had hoped to say: 'We have lots of traditions including drinking tea, our love of talking about the weather and our Royal Family. Advertisement 'We have amazing history, like kings and queens, castles and writers like She was also planning on saying: 'Sometimes at school we only hear about other cultures — which is great because learning about different countries is interesting and important. 'But it can feel like being British doesn't count as a culture, just because it's the majority.' Speaking out about the incident, a spokesperson for the school said: 'We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. Advertisement "We've since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. 'We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring every student feels recognised and supported.' Courtney's dad has also suggested that other children carrying He said: "Another with a Advertisement "It's ironic they were having a cultural diversity day but then decided to single out a group of people." 4 Courtney said that her dress was a reference to Geri Halliwell Credit: PA More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Advertisement Like us on Facebook at
