School's 'excessive' rule threatens pupils with exclusion if they forget a pen or ruler

Darren Worthington says his daughter earned her first 'strike' for having a broken ruler.

Millfield High School in Thornton, Lancashire

A dad has slammed a school's 'excessive' rule that threatens pupils with exclusion if they forget their pen or ruler. Millfield High School in Thornton, Lancashire, came under fire from parents after sending a text outlining a ‘three-strike’ rule on basic stationery that would result in a 'fixed-term exclusion'.

The text states that if students forget basic implements - including two pens, a pencil, and a ruler - they face detentions and even being temporarily booted out of class. Darren Worthington says his daughter earned her first 'strike' for having a broken ruler and was refused a replacement by her teacher - resulting in the alarming text message.

Enraged by the 'joke' of a policy, the dad-of-four took to social media to share the text he received, blasting the school, and quizzing how the harsh punishment helps students learn. The post shared on a private group on Facebook racked up more than 1,000 likes, shares, and comments.

Many agreed with Darren blasting the school for being overzealous. However, others backed the school claiming those disapproving were "living in a namby-pamby world". Millfield High School said it is 'important' that students arrive at school with the essential equipment, a pencil case having two pens, a pencil, and a ruler, and that the rules help prepare students for the responsibilities of life after school.

Darren said: "Surely this has to be some form of a joke. God forbid your child loses a pen, breaks a pencil, or snaps a ruler. Exclusion! How is this helping the children to learn? Unbelievable.

"A fixed-term exclusion is a bit excessive. My daughter's ruler had broken, and there was a box of spares on the table, which she was not allowed to use.

"The school is full of stationery; everyone brings their paper in themselves. I am sure it has not gotten to the point where all the children forget their pencil cases every morning.

"I think the punishment of twice or three times in a week is excessive for what it is. Or it will cause kids to take off other kids as they do not want to get the punishment. Then what!

"People forget things; it’s normal; I’m sure you wouldn’t punish your kids if they failed something twice a week. I understand that they are trying to teach the children responsibilities. However, the punishment of a fixed-term exclusion seems excessive. And I cannot see how that would help the children. I would even say the 90-minute detention is too prolonged.

"There are stories on the post where the child has been punished by having personal items confiscated as punishment from bringing the correct equipment, but in their bag rather than the case. I put the post out to see what others thought, and the majority agree it's over the top."

However, the school defended their tough stance on stationery. Millfield High School headteacher Nicola Regan said: "It's essential that students arrive at school with the basic equipment they need for a day of learning.

"This also helps to prepare them for the responsibilities of life after school and ensures that lessons are not disrupted as staff spend time providing equipment for a small number of students who have forgotten theirs. When students join our school, their parents or carers sign a home-school agreement in which they agree to always send their child to school with the equipment they need.

"As students arriving unequipped has become more of an issue lately, we have sent a letter to parents about this before half term, and the action we would take if students continued to arrive without essential equipment for learning. We also offered to buy equipment for any child whose family may struggle financially.

"As this is the first week after parents received the letter, we have provided a pencil case with equipment to a minimal number of students who came without theirs and contacted their parents. We are also arranging to open a stationery shop at break times, so students can buy spare equipment to ensure they are ready and fully prepared for the next school day."

The text Darren received read: "Good afternoon. Your child has attended school today without the correct equipment. "As per the letter sent before half term, students are expected to arrive with two pens, a pencil and a ruler in their pencil case.

"They should also ensure they have their timetable. Students who forget their equipment twice a week will be given a 90 minutes Headteacher’s detention. Failure to bring equipment three times a week will result in a fixed-term exclusion."

Others supported Darren's stance, saying that such a policy was 'extreme'. One wrote: "Seems a bit extreme. It is why it is something internal.

"My daughter starts here in September. I better make sure she keeps spare pens on her socks." Another commented: "There is a difference between teaching responsibility and self-reliance and being completely absurd!

"They fight enough to get some kids into school and to stay in school, and you have things like this that affect their attendance. Over a bloody ruler, pen and pencils." One wrote: "What about teaching kindness, sharing and compassion? Has another student got a spare they are willing to share?"

However, others sided with the school and said it teaches kids responsibility and self-reliance. One wrote: "Nowt wrong with a bit of discipline. It’s what today's kids are missing in this namby-pamby world."

Another commented: "It teaches discipline. Back in my day, it would have been the belt or the shoe, and we would have been thankful for it. Thank your lucky stars, it's only a text now." One wrote: "It teaches responsibility and self-reliance."

Another commented: "Surely it's not that hard to remember to bring in a pen, pencil, and a ruler! They are giving you a warning! Not exclusion straight away!"

The school also said that the essential equipment requirement is a pencil case having two pens, a pencil, and a ruler. Students are also asked to ensure they have their timetable either written in their planner or printed.