Mum says teacher threatened to cut bows off daughter's socks on first day at school

A mum has spoken of her disgust after her daughter's teacher threatened to cut the bows off her socks on her first day at school.

The anonymous mother explained that her daughter, 11, wore the black socks with silk bows to Dixons Brooklands Academy, where she received the warning on Monday (September 5).

It was the start of the new term at the school - formerly known as Manchester Health Academy - a time at which many children wear new school uniforms for the first time.

But the 11-year-old was told that if she wore the socks with bows again, her teacher would cut them off and she would get detention, despite the school not giving any indication that bows were banned.

Manchester Evening News

She was also told to replace her black bag, which was deemed 'inappropriate', the Manchester Evening News reports.

The mum explained: "I'm just disgusted that kids have had a threat like this on their first day at high school.

"It doesn't state on any letters from school that no bows are allowed or no tote bags. As long as it holds everything you need for school it shouldn't be a problem.

"Apparently, Year 9 have to wear office wear clothes and some people have mentioned that they take tote bags and handbags with them. I don't know why it's different for other years."

The mum explained that her daughter was so upset by the incident that she said she wanted to move schools.

The 11-year-old went on to return to the school with an old rucksack and grey socks without bows the next day. However, this still wasn't acceptable for her teacher, who gave her a detention.

"She received a 12 minute detention," the mum revealed, adding that it was postponed for two weeks. "It's totally crazy."

A spokesperson for the school said: "Dixons Brooklands Academy has the highest of expectations for all students and we wish to congratulate our new students who made an excellent start yesterday. They looked fabulous in their new academy uniform.

Manchester Evening News

"Uniform expectations were shared with all families on several occasions and every child was given financial support to purchase their new uniform.

"With regards to school bags we have stated that a bag should enable students to carry books, homework, equipment, their planner and a water bottle. In cases where bags do not meet this requirement we will work with individual families to resolve this."

The incident comes after a cleaning expert shared their handy tips for keeping school uniforms cleaner for longer amid the cost of living crisis.

Dixons Brooklands Academy told Tyla: "Every child was provided with £65 to contribute to their new uniform and expectations were circulated to parents in advance on several occasions.  

"Bags need to be able to carry all a child’s books and equipment and keep them protected including whilst travelling to and from school. Older students have the same rules for bags.

"At no time would any staff member cut parts of a child's uniform."