A 12-year-old schoolgirl went a day without food after staff refused to give her lunch because she wasn't wearing a tie. Mum Joanne Mcclenaghan says daughter, Rio-Anne, did not eat for the entire school day after a member of canteen staff said she could not be served because she was not wearing the proper uniform.
The mum-of-four told LeicestershireLive Rio had had her tie "grabbed and thrown in the bin" by another student at school earlier in the week, and the school had promised to replace it, but had not yet done so.
Principal Stuart Kay said that while staff are asked to encourage students to wear the correct uniform, there is no official policy in place to refuse food over missing ties and blazers.
Joanne said Rio was told: "No tie, no dinner." She said: "Food is not a punishment. You cannot use food as a way to discipline children. Regardless of behaviour I just don't see how they can refuse food."
Joanne added: "She'd gone a whole week without her tie and reported it being taken and put in the bin. It hadn't affected her to begin with, as I had made her packed lunch - but on Fridays she likes to have a school dinner. She told me that canteen staff had asked her where her tie was, and she explained the situation.
"But they told her without full uniform she couldn't have her dinner".
Joanne said: "I posted on my Facebook and dozens of parents and even a student came forward.
"I sent over a complaint [to the school] and received a call from the head of year who apologised profusely about the matter. I said I hoped this neglect wouldn't happen to another child."
She added: "I sent her to school with a packed lunch today and assured her it wasn't her fault. It shouldn't matter whether they're in uniform or not - food isn't something that can be taken away from them."
In screenshots shown to LeicestershireLive, parents of students at the school who responded to Joanne's post included one parent who claimed her son was refused dinner until he put his tie on, while another claimed her daughter was told "no blazer, no food", and one mum said both daughters were refused access to the canteen for an entire week.
Principal Stuart Kay said: "We are aware that a pupil missed lunch after being spoken to by a member of staff about incorrect uniform. This matter has been dealt with. It is our policy that uniform should be worn correctly throughout the school, including the restaurant. Our policy does not restrict students from receiving lunch, for any reason.
"We have spoken to all staff to ensure our behaviour and uniform policy are applied consistently. We encourage parents to speak directly to the school if they have any concerns.
"I can confirm that all staff, including dining room staff are instructed to encourage students to wear the correct uniform. However, they are not encouraged to refuse dinners. We do not refuse dinners as a result of uniform non-compliance".
