Latest news with #Isobelle
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
Pupils at ANOTHER school 'are punished for wearing Union Jacks on culture day'
Pupils at another school appear to have been punished for sporting Union Jacks on the institution's culture day. Dozens of children were placed in isolation at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Oldbury, West Midlands for wearing the flag just days after a 12-year-old girl was stopped from donning one at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire. The students were asked to choose outfits which reflected their heritage but Leanne Wehrle told The Sun that when her daughter Isobelle, 15, turned up with a Union Jack over her shoulders, she was held in a meeting room. When the teenager argued with the decision, things got even worse and she was slapped with a five day suspension. Ms Wehrle, 39, said: 'Lots wore their flags over their shoulders, and others opted to wear them around their waists as skirts. 'Isobelle was put into an isolation room almost immediately, as were about 30 other kids. Yet many other children wore flags from the countries where their families originated, such as Jamaica and Spain, and had no problem.' The bar owner insisted that this was the first time her daughter had got into trouble and the head teacher failed to give sufficient reasoning as to why she had been suspended. Jenny Priest claimed her daughter Scarlett, 13, was also placed in isolation for sporting a white t-shirt with a Union Jack pattern on it. The 38-year-old mother said Isobelle had, in fact, tried to defend Scarlett landing her in more trouble. The school told The Sun that students were allowed to wear Union Jacks but added: 'We have clear guidelines on non-uniform days. No student was suspended due to their choice of outfit on the day.' MailOnline has approached Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy for comment. Last week, Bilton School was forced to close early for the summer after staff received threats and 'extremist abuse'. It came after Courtney Wright was stopped at the gates and told to change because the patriotic outfit was 'unacceptable'. She was made to sit in the school's reception all morning until her father could come and collect her. The school has told parents it is closing earlier than normal for the summer holidays in a letter, citing 'extremist abuse online and via our telephone systems'. 'The nature and tone of this abuse has escalated in recent days, including personal threats to our staff,' the letter continued. Ranjit Samra, CEO of Stowe Valley Multi-Academy Trust and headteacher Jayne Delves said staff had been threatened. It said: 'The nature and tone of this abuse has escalated in recent days including personal threats to staff.' 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 letter ended by thanking parents and guardians for their understanding and continued support during a 'very challenging time'. 'Straight A' student Courtney, 12, wore the Spice Girls inspired dress and wrote a speech about history and traditions as part of the celebrations. She was stopped at the school gates by a member of staff and ordered to change after picking it out for Culture Celebration Day. Courtney's father Stuart Field, 47, said he was 'gobsmacked' to learn his daughter had been segregated from her peers due to her choice of attire. Mr Field, who works in marine restoration, said: 'Courtney was so embarrassed and couldn't understand what she'd done wrong. 'She should not be made to feel embarrassed about being British. And she shouldn't be punished for celebrating British culture and history; nobody else I've spoken to can quite get their heads around it. 'Another with a St George's flag and another with a Welsh flag were not allowed in either. It was ridiculous. It just seemed anything that was remotely British wasn't allowed.' Courtney said after the ordeal: 'I felt really embarrassed. I wad made to sit in reception all day. All my friends were getting angry at why the teachers were doing that because my dress was wonderful.' On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appeared to support Courtney's choice of dress after his spokesperson said he had always been 'clear that being British is something to be celebrated'. The PM's official spokesperson added: 'You can see that from everything this government has done. We are a tolerant, diverse, open country, proud of being British.' Mr Field previously told MailOnline: 'The day was to celebrate everyone's cultures and Courtney chose this Union Flag dress so she could celebrate hers. 'She also wrote this speech to go with it and was very proud of what she'd done. 'The next thing I get a call at work at around 9am to say she's not allowed in school dressed like that and that it was unacceptable.' He added: 'I wasn't able to get away from work until about midday. They made her sit in reception all morning in front of the receptionists and kept her in isolation. 'She's a straight A student, one of the brightest in her year and she's never been in trouble before so she was really upset. 'All the kids there are British in my eyes, I like to think I'm a tolerant person but this was just not right. 'I wanted an answer as to why they thought this was acceptable - and nobody could give me a straight answer, I wanted to know how they had justified it. 'I spoke to her head of year, and he said he wasn't the best person to talk to about it, so I can only assume he didn't really agree with it either. 'It obviously came from above him but I don't know for sure who made the decision. 'I was fobbed off and told that I'd get a phone call and I took Courtney straight out for a nice meal to cheer her up. 'If anything I was extremely proud of what she chosen and what she had written in her speech. A spokesman for Stowe Valley Trust said: 'At Bilton School, we are proud of the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our community. We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued, and included. 'On Friday 11th 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. '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.'
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Fury as dozens of pupils ‘put into isolation for wearing Union Jack clothes on school's culture day'
Parents complained that their kids 'were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty' IT'S A UNION JOKE Fury as dozens of pupils 'put into isolation for wearing Union Jack clothes on school's culture day' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOZENS of pupils were put in isolation at a school for sporting Union Jacks on a 'culture day', furious parents claimed yesterday. Leanne Wehrle said her 15-year-old daughter Isobelle, who draped a flag over her shoulders, was among those held in meeting rooms. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Isobelle Wehrle is one of dozens of students across Britain who have been put into isolation for wearing a Union Flag on school 'world culture days', pictured with mum Leanne Credit: Paul Tonge 4 Scarlett, 13, was also punished for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it, pictured with mum Jenny And she said when Isobelle questioned the decision she ended up being suspended for five days for arguing. The row echoes The Sun's revelations of a girl at another school being banned from a 'diversity day' for wearing a Union Jack dress. In the latest case, children at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Oldbury, West Mids, were asked to wear outfits to reflect their heritage. Leanne, 39, said: 'Lots wore their flags over their shoulders, and others opted to wear them around their waists as skirts. READ MORE ON WOKE BRITAIN NO FUN ZONE Fury as woke council scraps popular airshow despite it making £60m for economy 'Isobelle was put into an isolation room almost immediately, as were about 30 other kids. Yet many other children wore flags from the countries where their families originated, such as Jamaica and Spain, and had no problem.' Bar owner Mrs Wehrle added: 'Isobelle and her friends were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty. 'When she asked the head why, all he could say was, 'Because it's not allowed'. Isobelle never gets into trouble — not until this happened, at least.' Charity shop worker Jenny Priest said her 13-year-old daughter Scarlett was also put into isolation for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it. Jenny, 38, said: 'Isobelle stuck up for my daughter and she got into trouble for that.' Last night the school insisted pupils had been allowed to wear Union Jacks. We should tell woke uni students to grow a pair, but they'd burst into tears & call the cops, says Piers Morgan But it added: 'We have clear guidelines on non-uniform days. No student was suspended due to their choice of outfit on the day.' Last week The Sun told how Courtney Wright, 12, was banned for wearing a Union Jack dress at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire. The school later apologised. 4 Last week The Sun told how Courtney Wright, 12, was banned for wearing a Union Jack dress Credit: Roland Leon
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Fury as dozens of pupils ‘put into isolation for wearing Union Jack clothes on school's culture day'
DOZENS of pupils were put in isolation at a school for sporting Union Jacks on a 'culture day', furious parents claimed yesterday. Leanne Wehrle said her 15-year-old daughter Isobelle, who draped a flag over her shoulders, was among those held in meeting rooms. 4 Isobelle Wehrle is one of dozens of students across Britain who have been put into isolation for wearing a Union Flag on school 'world culture days', pictured with mum Leanne Credit: Paul Tonge 4 Scarlett, 13, was also punished for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it, pictured with mum Jenny And she said when Isobelle questioned the decision she ended up being suspended for five days for arguing. The row echoes In the latest case, children at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy in Oldbury, Leanne, 39, said: 'Lots wore their flags over their shoulders, and others opted to wear them around their waists as skirts. READ MORE ON WOKE BRITAIN 'Isobelle was put into an isolation room almost immediately, as were about 30 other kids. Yet many other children wore flags from the countries where their families originated, such as Bar owner Mrs Wehrle added: 'Isobelle and her friends were made to feel like wearing something British was dirty. 'When she asked the head why, all he could say was, 'Because it's not allowed'. Isobelle never gets into trouble — not until this happened, at least.' Charity shop worker Jenny Priest said her 13-year-old daughter Scarlett was also put into isolation for wearing a white T-shirt with a Union Jack on it. Most read in The Sun Jenny, 38, said: 'Isobelle stuck up for my daughter and she got into trouble for that.' Last night the school insisted pupils had been allowed to wear Union Jacks. We should tell woke uni students to grow a pair, but they'd burst into tears & call the cops, says Piers Morgan But it added: 'We have clear guidelines on non-uniform days. No student was suspended due to their choice of outfit on the day.' Last week The Sun told how The school later apologised. 4 Last week The Sun told how Courtney Wright, 12, was banned for wearing a Union Jack dress Credit: Roland Leon 4 Courtney with her dad, who brought the case to national attention Credit: PA
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
