Anger after girl sent home over piercing

A Shropshire father hit out at a rule which saw his 14-year-old daughter sent home from school for having lip piercings.

Karl Foster branded the policy "unfair" and claimed that it was pointless and had nothing to do with the youngster's education.

College bosses today defended their policy on the matter saying that the ban on facial piercings was imposed for health and safety reasons.

Mr Foster, of Ketley Vallens, Telford, said his wife Maxine bought Karla the lip piercing as a Christmas present but on the teenager's first day back last week at Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College in Wellington she was confronted by the headteacher.

Mr Foster claimed Karla was told to either take the lip stud out or she would have to be taught in isolation.

Karla removed the stud but put it back in out of sight of teachers.

However, last Friday, after two days off school because of the heavy snow, she was caught wearing it again.

Mr Foster said: "She was taught in isolation that day.

"She then went in on Monday this week wearing the stud and I was telephoned by the headteacher and asked to go in for a meeting.

"The head explained health and safety policy to me but then told me to take Karla home.

"The option to teach her in isolation wasn't even made."

Mr Foster said: "Kids think with their brains, not their lips.

"What does it matter if she has her lip pierced?"

Karla said: "It is just unfair.

"One girl at the school has her tongue pierced and her belly and she has six rings in one ear."

She added: "No-one has told her to take them out."

Headteacher Robert Hall said: "College policy clearly says that facial piercings are not acceptable and this is set out in the Parent Handbook that is issued every year. It is also on our website.

"This ban is for health and safety reasons. Karla was given the option of removing the stud or being withdrawn from lessons until she complied.

"This is in accordance with normal school practice.

"Karla's parents were then contacted and asked to take her home until she was compliant with school dress policy.

"Karla is not excluded and can return as soon as the stud is removed."