Students at Rugby"s Bilton School protest after being told they could only ...

Hundreds of angry pupils today walked out of lessons after a row over bracelets being worn in support of a pupil with leukaemia

A row has broken out at Bilton School in Rugby after students were told they could only wear Team Joel bracelets on a non-uniform day.

Pupils want to  wear the bracelets every day but they have been told they violate the school’s uniform policy.           

The TeamJoel bracelet at the centre of the controversy at Rugby’s Bilton School

 

            
Joel Smith, a student in Year 11 at the school in Lawford Lane is undergoing hospital treatment for his illness.

His family have been making and selling beaded ‘Team Joel’ bracelets to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

But when some pupils wore the bracelets to school, they say they were sent home by school staff for breaching uniform rules.

Now, they have mounted a protest on the school field.

Bilton School says the bracelets can be worn on a non-uniform day in April.

Last night, the Facebook page ‘Spotted: Rugby Town’ was inundated with angry comments.

One comment said: “Disgraceful, how must Joel be feeling knowing his own school are not supporting him in the biggest fight of his life? They should be ashamed of themselves.”

A boy wrote: “In my opinion, the parents should boycott the school by not sending the students in until they are allowed to show their support to a fellow student.”

Another added: “Students should keep wearing them, they can’t send the whole school home. Show solidarity against a stupid rule.”

Meanwhile, Bilton School has released a statement defending its decision.

It read: “Bilton School has made every effort to support one of our students through illness and the school is in regular contact with his family.

“Members of staff have visited him in hospital and we have made every effort possible to ensure he is included in the life of the school when he has been well enough to attend.

“On 11th April the school agreed several weeks ago, to hold a non-uniform day in the students chosen colours of blue and white and all funds raised through this will go towards Cancer research charities selected by his family.

“Students will be allowed to wear special bracelets on this day.

“The school is happy for students to buy the bracelets now to show their support, but we are not able to authorise the wearing of them in school except on the 11th April.

“The school has a very clear uniform code and to begin to make exceptions will leave students and parents unsure as to what is or isn’t acceptable.”

Article source: http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Strong-second-half-helps-Bath-Rugby-soar-past/story-20590646-detail/story.html

Students at Rugby"s Bilton School protest after being told they could only ...