A SCHOOL’S new uniform policy for girls has been criticised by a parent after her daughter was sent home for wearing trousers that were deemed “too tight”.

Julie Docherty was outraged when her 13-year-old daughter Ciccone Francis was sent home from the Ipswich Academy on her first day back on Wednesday because of her attire.

For the start of the new school year, the academy decided to impose a rule that girls should wear black trousers rather than skirts and tights.

However several students were told to go home and change after turning up at school wearing trousers that were deemed by teachers to be inappropriate.

Mrs Docherty, 45, of Bilberry Road, said: “Ciccone was sent home for wearing trousers that were too tight but they were just straight cut black trousers which I bought from H&M. They were not leggings or jeggings.

“I have already spent a lot of money on her uniform as I got her new skirts but then they changed the uniform to trousers.

“The school told me they interfered with her education but they are just trousers. It is ridiculous.

“I have now been told I have got three weeks to buy some other trousers. It’s a bit of a nightmare.

“Ciccone was not happy to be sent home.”

Nancy Robinson, principal of Ipswich Academy, said they had introduced a trousers policy for girls because some of the skirts pupils were wearing to school were too short.

She said: “Some of our students turned up in inappropriate uniform and were sent home before the school day started with a letter explaining why.”

She said some had arrived in skinny jeans, while others were sent home for turning up without a blazer or in trainers.

“Our uniform policy is very simple and clear. We are looking to make a statement at the beginning of term,” added the principal.

“Most of our students (who were sent home) came back immediately (in the correct attire).”

n What is your view on this new uniform policy? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk