Girl, 13, suspended from school for four days after breach of 'ridiculous' uniform rule

A mum has blasted a "ridiculous" policy at her daughter's school after the teen was suspended for four days.

Although Izobella Dawson, 13, wore "invisible" earrings to hide her piercings, Kirk Balk Academy in Barnsley, South Yorkshire deemed she breached its "no jewellery" rule. However, her mum Rachel, 42, said the retainers were barely-visible, and are widely advertised as "disguising" piercings.

Rachel received a call from the school saying that Izobella was going to be suspended, as she refused to take them out or attend isolation. The teenager was initially suspended for two days, but was suspended again when she again refused to remove them.

"I was absolutely furious. I'm not a parent who believes in rule breaking. If I can justify a rule then I'm absolutely up for telling Izzy what to do, but if I can't explain the rule to her and the teacher can't explain the rule to me, then the rule's not right. She'd got these clear plastic retainers in that she was wearing to respect the rules and now she was out of education," Rachel, from Tankersley, South Yorkshire, said today.

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The school's uniform policy states "jewellery must not be worn. A wrist watch is the only permissible exception (not a smart watch)." Rachel, though, believes the school has become stricter with the rule enforcement without any warning.

Mother-of-two Rachel said: "I got a call from the school telling me that Izzy was being suspended. A senior teacher said Izzy had broken the uniform policy and that she couldn't take the earrings out, so she had to go into isolation.

"Izzy told the teachers that I didn't agree with the isolation so she asked them to ring me and they told her that she'd be suspended - I was really angry.

"I asked to speak to somebody and I asked why when she'd been wearing them all this time the rule had suddenly changed. The teacher said that it's always been the rule and she's obviously just gotten away with it, which is ridiculous.

"An inconsistent rule is one thing but being there for two years having never ever been told to take them out, in fact being told that they're alright, that's a little bit more than inconsistent.

"When I asked why she can't wear them they said to me that it was 'just the rules'. I said 'she's suspended then because I don't agree with the rule?' and they couldn't explain to me. I found out that over 90 students over the last few days have either been put in isolation or suspended for the same thing."

Following her two-day suspension, Izobella returned to school last Monday but was suspended for a further two days after refusing to remove her earrings and attend the school's isolation unit. Rachel, who works as a neighbourhood manager, then had a meeting with the school and was allegedly told the rules hadn't changed but there had been "inconsistencies" with how they'd been implemented.

Kirk Balk Academy confirmed that Izobella was suspended for refusing to follow their "reasonable request" of removing the earrings. Rachel said: "[The staff member] insisted that the school haven't changed the rules.

"He admitted there had been 'inconsistencies' with how they'd been implemented in the past. He kept repeating that they [the school] were just implementing Trust policy.

"Izzy's not wearing jewellery. They are clear plastic retainers that she's put in in place of jewellery to help her comply with the rules. She was doing the responsible thing.

"The school hasn't been willing to admit that there's been a change in the rule but there clearly has. You don't go from no children being suspended to over 90."

Izobella returned to school on Wednesday morning [October 1st] but has had to remove the clear plastic retainers from her ears in order to be allowed back into the classroom.

Rachel has sent a formal complaint to the school and has been informed she will receive a response within the next 10 days, but she says she has been 'disappointed' by the whole ordeal.

Rachel said: "It's just really disappointing because nobody can explain it to me. If they could give any reason why - that it's health and safety - then I'd be understanding.

"I'm angry and I've wasted so much time on it. Izzy has missed four days out of learning for wearing clear plastic retainers because she thought she was doing the right thing, and I thought she was doing the right thing."

A spokesperson for Northern Education Trust said: "At Northern Education Trust, our focus is on student wellbeing, high standards, and excellent academic outcomes.

"Uniform plays a key role in setting clear expectations and supporting a calm, orderly environment where students are ready to learn and succeed.

"Under no circumstances are students ever suspended or excluded simply for wearing jewellery or similar items. Like many schools in the country, Kirk Balk has a clear uniform policy, and students are not permitted to wear jewellery.

"When students do attend wearing jewellery, they are simply asked to remove it. The vast majority of students comply without issue. However, where a student refuses this reasonable request, further sanctions may follow. No school can function effectively if students are allowed to disregard rules or say "no" to reasonable, clearly communicated expectations.

"When it is reported, especially on social media, that a child has been suspended 'for wearing earrings,' this is simply not true. Any sanction arises from a refusal to follow a reasonable request, not the item itself.

"When Kirk Balk was inspected by Ofsted in June 2025, Inspectors noted that "most pupils rise to the high expectations that the school has for behaviour," and that "the school uses suspensions appropriately," with incidents decreasing.

"They also praised the academy's strong culture of high expectations, dedicated staff, and the positive learning environment. We would urge parents and carers to speak with us directly if they have any questions or concerns. Clear, open communication helps us work together to support our students and maintain a strong, respectful school community."