A SECONDARY school has come under fire from parents who are angry at “heavy-handed” rules enforced by the new leadership team.


Parents have spoken out against the changes made at Yate International Academy (YIA) by new principal Beverley Martin and deputy principal Paul Skipp.  


Pupils have been sent home from school and reprimanded for breaking the rules, which were set out in a newsletter on April 14 that promised a “number of immediate changes”.


This has caused parents to contact the Gazette with their concerns about the school, which is part of The Ridings’ Federation of Academies.


Clive Hollick, whose 16-year-old daughter is in Year 11, said: “My daughter was sent home from school on Friday for having two earrings at the top of her ear - the academy thinks it’s more important to send pupils home as punishment, depriving them of a day’s worth of learning."


The 53-year-old added: “My daughter has exams in three weeks and this stress is the last thing she needs.”


His wife Keeley, 45, added: “It’s madness and heavy-handed. Things are changing drastically and the children are very unhappy.”


Lisa Pope, 38, who has a 14-year-old daughter at the academy, said: “My daughter is in Year 9 and is diabetic, and I was shocked to hear she was prevented from going to the toilet last week.


“This was because, apparently, teachers do not like pupils going to the toilet during lesson times.


"She texted me, worried, saying she wasn’t allowed to go and was desperate, and then her phone was confiscated because she was on it. I think this is so wrong.”


The rules state that pupils who fail to wear the correct uniform will receive a same day 20 minute detention, while those who arrive after the 8.45am start time will also receive an after school detention.


A spokesman for YIA said: “These are not new rules – for example the same uniform code has been in place since YIA became part of the federation in 2009.


“It been important to re-emphasis this expectation to students, parents and staff to ensure that all students understand what is expected, what response they will receive from every staff member and what action will follow as the inconsistencies were causing greater distress for some students.


“Students aren’t being sent home for the day – they are being sent home to put on the correct uniform and are then expected to return.


“There are no rules about students using toilets.”


In response to the parents’ disputes, Ms Martin said: “By giving clear guidance and insisting on the highest standards for all, we are already able to see within the last week a positive impact in the classroom and a reduction of incidents involving students being victimised by their peers for the way they are dressed or the way they present themselves.


“The uniform issues have already significantly reduced over the course of this first week and the consistent message and support from all staff certainly appears to be working as teaching staff are finding they are able to focus on teaching their subjects better.


"Giving teachers the right to teach, and students the right to learn, is at the heart of everything we are trying to achieve.”


In the newsletter parents were invited to give feedback about the changes at an afternoon tea with Ms Martin and others on May 19.