Amanda Shannon claims Rainhill High School has repeatedly refused to make “reasonable adjustments” for her daughter Rebecca, 14, who has inattentive and hyperactive ADHD
A Liverpool mum has slammed her daughter’s school for what she describes as a “ridiculous” stance on facial piercings, insisting it is affecting her 14 year old’s education and mental health.
Amanda Shannon, from Dovecot, alleges Rainhill High School has consistently failed to make “reasonable adjustments” for her daughter Rebecca, who started the new academic year in September sporting a nose and upper lip piercing – a birthday present from her father.
Rebecca, who suffers from inattentive and hyperactive ADHD and is awaiting a diagnosis of pathological demand avoidance (PDA), is reported to have been put in isolation and subsequently suspended for two days for violating the school’s uniform policy.
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Amanda alleges the school refused to permit Rebecca to wear clear retainers whilst on school premises – something she considers would have been a sensible compromise.
The piercings, Amanda insists, are crucial to Rebecca’s sense of identity and serve a practical purpose by acting as a “fidget toy” in her mouth, assisting her to focus during lessons, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Rainhill High’s uniform policy bans facial piercings on health and safety grounds.
Nevertheless, Amanda contends that the policy lacks adaptability for pupils with additional needs.
The 44 year old told the ECHO: “She sees it as part of who she is. Rebecca struggles with identity and confidence. She’s said to me: ‘This is me, this is who I am.’
“Last year, even getting her into the classroom was a struggle. This year she really wants to learn. She’s told me she wants to progress sets and do well, but now it feels like she’s being shut out.”
Amanda, who works as a critical care nurse for the NHS, also alleged Rebecca was refused entry to the school canteen during her isolation period, saying: “Rebecca rang me saying, ‘Mum, I’m hungry and they won’t let me get any food.’ I had to tell the teacher they were breaching her basic human rights. Only then did they let her get something to eat.”
Rainhill High School has firmly denied this, saying: “We can confirm that we would never restrict access to food or drink for any student, regardless of the situation.”
Amanda has highlighted concerns about contradictions in the school’s stance on uniform and appearance, noting that other pupils are permitted to have brightly coloured hair – something Rainhill High permits as it “is not part of school policy, and it does not pose a threat to health and safety.”
Amanda said: “What’s more distracting in a classroom: a barely visible piercing or bright purple hair? She’s not asking for special treatment. She’s asking to be let into class so she can learn. She’s got additional needs, she’s trying to do better, and she’s being punished for it.”
The worried mum fears her daughter could face permanent exclusion if the issue isn’t sorted out. She expressed: “To me, the fundamental job of a school is to provide an education. It’s every child’s legal right. They are restricting her access to education because of this situation.
“She’s not asking for special treatment. She’s asking to be let into class so she can learn. She’s got additional needs, she’s trying to do better, and she’s being shut out.”
Rainhill High refused to comment on individual cases but released a statement saying: “We are an inclusive community and pupil-focused school committed to delivering the best care and education to every child, whilst keeping them safe, regardless of their needs.
“We have an exceptional, devoted SEND team and trained staff who work relentlessly within and outside school hours to support our children and their families… We consider reasonable adjustments to the uniform policy on a case-by-case basis for students with diagnosed needs, in consultation with families and professionals.”
