Fancy dress boys given detention

BOYS who dressed up as girls for a GCSE leavers’ event at their school were put in detention for the rest of the day.

Ysgol Penweddig in Aberystwyth said it took the action after parents, pupils and staff complained.

The year 11 fancy dress day is a tradition at the 591-pupil bilingual school which has pupils aged 11 to 18.

School authorities said those concerned had “undermined the school and its core values”.

They were given detention and the chance to change their clothes. Those who did so returned to lessons.

The school, deemed “adequate” by Estyn last year, said in a statement via Ceredigion County Council: “Parents, pupils and staff had raised concerns about the possible effect on the wider school community given the school’s core values of inclusion and respect for all members of the school community irrespective of their background, race or sexuality.

“Year 11 pupils asked that they be allowed to have a fancy dress day and this has been a tradition at this and other schools.

“We have no wish to deny pupils this privilege or other privileges such as a leavers’ party at the end of their compulsory school career. However, pupils are always asked to ensure that what they wear is appropriate and is not likely to offend and that their behaviour reflects the values and respect that the school stands for.

“All pupils were told prior to the fancy dress day by their registration teacher that they should dress appropriately and that they should specifically avoid offending other pupils or be seen to offend the wider community.

“The pastoral head of year 11 specifically reinforced this message and spoke with all the pupils in year 11 before the day to reinforce this message.

“The pupils in question chose not to respect this and undermined the trust placed in them by the school. As such they undermined the school and its core values of respect for authority and for the wider school community.

“The pupils in question were given detention and an opportunity to change their clothing which many did. The pupils who changed returned to lessons. All the pupils in detention were provided with work and given ample opportunity to use the time constructively to prepare for their forthcoming examinations. The school deems this to have been a proportionate response and the matter is now closed.”