Parents at Manshead Church of England Academy near Dunstable, Bedfordshire, have raised concerns that new uniform and site-management rules are treating pupils "like criminals," saying students have been placed in isolation for incorrect footwear and that access to toilets and normal lunch arrangements has been curtailed.
Several families contacted the BBC with accounts of pupils sent to an isolation area and unable to do schoolwork after arriving wearing shoes the school later said were unacceptable. School leaders say the measures were communicated to families in July, are applied consistently and are intended to support learning and safety.
Kerry Roblett, whose daughter is in Year 11, said her child brought a note from a medical professional explaining she needed to wear trainers because of a recent foot injury but was still denied entry to lessons and placed with at least 40 other students in an isolation sports hall. Roblett said pupils in the room were given "no pens, no paper, no work, no nothing," adding: "They definitely aren't getting heard, and they're definitely getting treated like criminals."
Another parent, who asked not to be named, said her daughter spent days in isolation after arriving at school in black trainers that had been acceptable the previous year. Several parents said they raised concerns about the policy before term started but received no substantive response.
The school's published guidance says students must wear black leather or "leather-like" waterproof shoes but does not explicitly ban trainers. A school spokesperson said parents were sent a letter on July 10 and received reminders before the start of term, including images showing expected footwear. The spokesperson said: "Uniform matters because it sets a positive tone for learning, promotes fairness and helps pupils feel part of the same team. Our expectations simply bring us into line with other local schools."
Parents also complained that some toilet blocks that were previously accessible to pupils now have signs designating them for staff only, leaving a very limited number of student cubicles open during breaks and lunchtimes. One parent said there were only six cubicles available for girls during the busiest periods across the whole school. The academy had 1,026 pupils in 2021, according to its most recent Ofsted report.
Headteacher Wajid Tufiq, who took up the role in June, told parents in a letter that limiting access to certain toilet blocks was a safeguarding measure, saying: "Keeping all toilet blocks open presents a safeguarding issue. By keeping access limited to specific, smaller blocks, we can better monitor student traffic and ensure the safety of everyone in school." He added: "Your child's well-being is our highest priority, and we believe this policy is crucial for maintaining a secure environment."
A PowerPoint seen by the BBC outlined new lunch arrangements that initially assigned year groups to separate canteens. The presentation indicated Year 11 students were at first told to use a hatch and eat outside; the school later permitted Year 11 pupils to use other year groups' canteens during a specified time period after feedback.
The school said pupils removed from lessons were provided with the same induction activities as other students, and asserted that food and toilets were available throughout the day. The academy did not respond to questions about whether children with medical notes were considered for exceptions to footwear rules.
Government guidance suggests one toilet per 20 pupils may be appropriate, but there is no statutory minimum. Manshead Academy is due for a new Ofsted inspection in the coming months.
Parents say they want clearer communication and a review of policies so that children are not excluded from learning for what families describe as minor uniform differences. School leaders say the measures support consistency and safety and have been shared with families in advance of term.