A headteacher has been forced to speak out after rumours he suspended a student for coming into school wearing Wellington boots
A headteacher has come under fire after reports on social media claimed he suspended one of his students for coming to school wearing a pair of Wellington boots.
School boss Mike Fenwick hit back after the claims online, being forced to issue a statement where he said the rumours were “categorically not true”.
In charge of Stokesley School in North Yorkshire, the head teacher said that students should follow the school’s uniform policy – including wearing proper footwear, but this incident wasn’t true.
In an email sent around to parents and carers and seen by Yorkshire Live, Mr Fenwick said: “I am writing to address a recent post on social media claiming that a student was suspended from school for wearing Wellington boots to school. I can categorically inform you that this is not true.
“Our students are expected to follow the school uniform policy, which includes footwear suitable for all learning environments, ranging from science labs to newly carpeted classrooms and food technology facilities.”
Likening a school uniform to wearing protective equipment at a building site, he added that students are able to loan suitable shoes for the day.
Mr Fenwick added: “Just as a construction company would address an employee not wearing protective footwear, we must ensure that students’ footwear is appropriate for safety and learning in our classrooms”.
Located in a largely rural area just a stone’s throw from the North York Moors, rumours that the student came from a farming background also fanned the flames, forcing the head to say he is “incredibly proud” of the school’s relationship with the farmers.
He also revealed he was saddened and worried at how quickly factually incorrect rumours were spread around the school community.
