Mum slams college for sending daughter, 8, house after ‘Army inspection’

Gemma Sharples claims her eight-year-old daughter Amaya Davies was refused entry to her primary school after a strict new uniform policy was introduced

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A mum has hit out at her daughter’s primary school, claiming she was refused entry at the gates due to her uniform.

Amaya Davies was returning to St Paul’s CE Primary School in Salford on Monday morning after the Easter holidays, when she was prevented from entering due to her footwear. The school has implemented a new uniform policy following the break stipulating all pupils must wear black shoes, with trainers being banned.

However, Amaya’s mum Gemma Sharples said she reached out to the school before the holidays to “clearly explain that Amaya suffers from sensory difficulties which make wearing shoes extremely distressing.”

The mother-of-two says she followed the instruction she was given to “inform the school of any challenges” and still received no response. She added she was “appalled” when Amaya arrived for school in black boots to start the new term and was sent home.

Gemma said: “The school is already aware that Amaya has emotional and mental health difficulties, alongside sensory needs and suspected ASD, for which she is currently being assessed.” She added: “Furthermore, there has been no meaningful consultation with parents regarding these uniform changes. Communication has been one-sided, limited to newsletters and emails, with no opportunity for dialogue or consideration of individual needs.”

In a complaint letter to the school following the “deeply concerning” incident, she wrote: “My daughter arrived at school in full uniform, wearing black boots. Despite these already causing her discomfort, she complied as best she could. She was then refused entry to school due to her footwear. This was done in what can only be described as a rigid, disproportionate, and wholly inappropriate manner, particularly given her known needs.

“As a result, Amaya has been left extremely distressed, anxious and fearful. She has expressed that she does not want to return to school. For a child who already finds school challenging, this incident has caused significant emotional harm and undermined her sense of safety and belonging.

“I am appalled by the lack of compassion, lack of professional judgement, and failure to make reasonable adjustments for a child with clearly identified needs. The manner in which this policy has been enforced is not only inappropriate but raises serious concerns about the school’s understanding of its responsibilities.”

Gemma a former parent governor at the school, claims other pupils were sent home due to uniform checks including Year 6 children with upcoming exams.

The mum claimed many youngsters were “visibly upset and crying” and parents were also “expressing their anxiety over affordability and their children’s needs.” Gemma said: “This approach is excessive, harmful, and entirely out of touch with the realities faced by families.

“The claim that uniform promotes a sense of belonging is completely contradicted by today’s events. My daughter now feels excluded, anxious, and unsupported. As a former parent governor of the school, I find this situation particularly disappointing. There has been a clear failure in leadership, communication, and duty of care.”

Describing the incident as “like an Army inspection line-up”, it left Gemma scrambling for emergency childcare for Amaya so that she could get to work.

Gemma is now demanding an explanation as to why her emails were ignored and reasonable adjustments were not considered.

On top of this the mum wants “immediate reassurance” that Amaya “will not be excluded from education due to her additional needs.” In its weekly newsletter dated to 2 April, the school set out the changes to parents, stating: “After the Easter break, we will be introducing our updated school uniform expectations.

“This change supports our commitment to creating a calm, consistent and positive learning environment where every child feels confident and proud to belong.”

It explained from the first day back after Easter the school uniform would consist of a royal blue jumper or cardigan and a white polo shirt – children previously had been allowed to wear blue or white shirts. Alongside this, students would be required to wear grey trousers, skirt or shorts, black shoes (no trainers) and a tie for Year 6 pupils.

The letter stated: “We understand that changes can sometimes feel challenging, and we truly appreciate your support in helping us maintain high standards that benefit all of our pupils. A consistent uniform helps children feel ready to learn and reinforces a strong sense of community.

“To help us uphold these expectations, any child who arrives in uniform that does not meet the code will be provided with spare items that match the required standards. This will ensure all pupils can take part in the school day comfortably and confidently. If you have any concerns or need support with sourcing uniform items, please contact us – we are here to help every family.”

Amaya’s mum claimed she wasn’t offered alternative footwear. However due to the footwear issue her child has, Amaya wouldn’t have been able to wear them anyway.

St Paul’s CE Primary School has been approached for comment.

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