Girl, 12, suspended twice in first week over 'stupid' uniform rule

A 12-year-old girl was suspended twice during her first week at school over a uniform rule her mother has branded "stupid." Danielle Gregory, 35, said her daughter Eva Patterson was sent home from Thorp Academy in Newcastle for wearing a skirt deemed too short and trousers deemed too tight. First day 'ruined' over skirt length Eva, starting Year 8 on September 2, returned home saying she had been "told off" because a staff member said her skirt was "too short," forcing her to "crouch around" all day. The skirt, about 22cm in length and bought from the school's uniform supplier Michael Sehgal, was worn again the next day, but Eva was refused entry because it "did not fall below the knee." Danielle, from Ryton, Newcastle, said the school did not phone or email about the issue, and she heard it from her daughter, who had been "crouching down for six hours trying to make the skirt look longer." Second suspension over trousers In an attempt to comply, Danielle bought Eva a pair of £12 black trousers from Primark. But Eva was suspended again before reaching the school gates, with staff saying her "trousers were too tight." The school's uniform policy states skirts should "sit on the knee in length" and black trousers must be a "tailored regular fit," not "pencil-tight trousers." Danielle, a full-time mum of three, said her 5ft 6in daughter is "taller than most in her class," making it "near impossible" to find a skirt that fits around the waist and is the right length. She has since bought a £28 pair of tailored trousers from Marks & Spencer, hoping Eva won't be suspended a third time. Mother calls policy 'discriminatory' Danielle said Eva has been left "extremely upset" and "nervous" about returning to school. She has complained to the school's headteacher and trust, and Eva is due to be in isolation on Monday because of the suspensions. Eva said she feels "targeted" and is "nervous about going back, in case I get suspended again." Danielle said: "The school uniform rules have gone too far and I don't understand the rationale behind it. It's so stupid - and all she wants is an education." She added: "I firmly believe uniform policies impact girls' education - saying they can't enter the school. I completely agree with rules and boundaries in schools with kids and I'm all for it but when it's in relation to a policy that's completely discriminatory, oppressive and sexist I'm not here for it. Education should come first." A spokesperson for the Northern Education Trust said: "Thorp Academy is committed to maintaining the high standards that ensure consistently good outcomes for our students. Our uniform expectations were shared with families on multiple occasions throughout last academic year and most recently on Tuesday 1 September 2026. In preparation for students returning to school on 2 September. Assemblies took place with students well in advance of the summer holidays. Information was also shared multiple times over social media throughout the summer holidays. All our policies are applied consistently and fairly. To support families and remove barriers, we have invested significantly in brand new uniform which we have given free of charge to families that have come into the academy and worked with us. We cannot comment on individual cases, but we strongly encourage parents with any concerns to speak directly to the academy. We will always work with families to resolve issues, and believe that direct conversation with the school, rather than through the media, is the most constructive way to do that."