Newark mother could be getting a criminal record as she refuses to pay a fine at Magnus Church of England Academy after her pupil was banned from the classroom for having ears pierced

A Newark mother is at risk of getting a criminal record after refusing to pay a school fine as her daughter was banned from classes for wearing earrings.

Helen Gent’s 14-year-old daughter Lucille, a year nine pupil at Magnus Church of England Academy, got her ears pierced during the May half-term holidays this year, which cannot be removed for a minimum of six to eight weeks to prevent infection.

But with its strict uniform policy and ban on jewellery and piercings due to “health and safety issues”, the academy refused Lucille entry to school for five days, despite Helen’s attempts to register her, and she was offered her the option to either be in isolation or sit in the headteacher’s office for one-to-one classes.

On the sixth day, Lucille, who was wearing clear plastic studs, entered the school normally. Helen claimed that no one performed a uniform check on the pupil or said anything until the new school year started.

Now Helen, a taxi driver, has received a warning letter from the school saying that if Lucille was absent any more than those five days, the school would take court action, which could jepordise Helen’s employment.

The academy followed up by sending a letter fining Helen £60 if paid within 28 days or £120 if not paid within that period.

Helen said: “I said I'm not going to pay, because I didn't take her out of lessons, that was your choice and I have now received a court summons for criminal action.

“I took her to school to register for classes every single day of those five days, and they refused to let her into class.

“It was not a case of me taking her on holiday, I took her in and they refused her.”

Magnus Academy’s policy on jewellery states: “Students may wear a watch however due to health and safety issues and concerns relating to loss of valuable items, students are not allowed to wear jewellery, including earrings and piercings of any kind, during their time at the Academy.”

Helen had to hire a solicitor as the case is currently in the hands of Nottinghamshire County Council Prosecution Service and she will be taken to court.

She added: “If I win the case, then, obviously, there'll be no action but if I lose the case and the court decides that I did take her out on an unauthorised absence, then I lose and I will get a criminal record.

“I am just outraged that the result of me having a criminal record could prevent me from getting employment in the future and it could even affect the job I do currently, which is to say that because I'm a taxi driver, I work with vulnerable children and adults.

“I have got a clear DBS check because of working with children and adults, but it's required as part of my taxi licence, if I then have a criminal record, I would have to ask permission from Newark and Sherwood District Council to set that aside so that I can continue my work as a taxi driver.

“If they decide not to do that, I would be unemployed — this is absolutely ridiculous.”

Helen is waiting to hear back from her solicitor and the date for her court case.

A Magnus Academy spokesman said: “Our uniform standards are clear and available on our website here: https://www.magnusacademy.co.uk/parent-information/uniform/

“These have not changed in over 6 years, and reminders are sent home frequently throughout the year.

“On rare occasions, and where individuals do arrive at school having not followed our uniform policy, we always give them an opportunity to correct this. If they do not, or cannot correct their uniform, we provide work, along with full teacher support, for them to complete elsewhere within the school.

“We do not exclude for uniform breaches, and work with families to resolve them quickly.”