A MONMOUTHSHIRE mum has said she is considering moving her daughter to another school following a fiasco over her uniform.

Michelle Gillette, of Caldicot, is furious that her daughter, Abby, has been placed in isolation twice at Chepstow School, first over her trousers and then her shoes.

The 14-year-old was said to have been punished, and made to give up 'social time', after being told her shoes violate a new uniform policy which says all shoes must be black leather or leather-look shoes with a low heel.

But Mrs Gillette says she paid £65 for the shoes her daughter wears and is furious with situation, which she also said has seen 27 other pupils affected.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable," she said.

"I would understand if the shoes were high heels or they had their toes hanging out or something but they’re just normal, sensible looking shoes.

“I don’t understand why they’re causing such a problem, and to have that many students in isolation over them is ridiculous.

“The last time we had problems was with her trousers. It didn’t make sense because some teachers said they were fine and others said they didn’t comply with the new uniform rules.

“I’m considering changing schools because of it. I feel really sad about it as she [Abby] has been getting on really well and she has a good group of friends. It’s also an important year for her as well.”

Chepstow School’s uniform policy changed at the start of the school year, with head teacher Claire Price previously telling the Argus that “the school community wanted a uniform that showed pride in the school and reflected student’s readiness to do well”.

Ms Price also said that as part of the consultation process over the new rules, “it was decided that shoes, not trainers or trainer type footwear would form an integral part of the school uniform policy”.

Students now have to wear a uniform made up of a school blazer with logo, a light blue school shirt, school trousers that are not leggings, denim, jeggings, jean look, stretch material or tight fitting, or a knee length skirt that is not stretch material or tight fitting, a school tie in house colours, and black leather or leather-look shoes with a low heel.

Ms Price said on Monday: "Students have been wearing their new uniform with pride since September. At the start of this school year, a few students wore footwear that did not comply with the school uniform policy and we allowed students until this half term to replace any inappropriate footwear.

"We see school uniform as an integral part of our whole school approach to excellence and we will continue to uphold our high expectations in all aspects of school life."

"Isolation for school uniform infringement is only used when all other avenues to resolve school uniform have failed, this includes the offer of financial support.

"Isolation is during students' social time in order that learning may still take place."

In September the Argus reported how another student, Georgia Bradbury, was handed a uniform infringement sticker for wearing shoes that were deemed unfit because they cannot be polished.

Her mother Emma Bradbury, spoke to the Free Press again this week, and said that while a smart uniform is expected, more emphasis should be on learning.

Ms Bradbury said: “I think there is more emphasis on the uniform than there is on the learning aspect. There needs to be more focus on other things like that."