THE mother of a 12-year-old girl says her child was made to cut holes in her socks.
Merissa Mclaughlin, 31, says her daughter was handed scissors by staff at Hyde High School in Hyde, Greater Manchester, and told to remove the bows on her knee-length black socks.
The incident took place on the child’s second day of Year 8, Ms Mclaughlin said.
She wrote a sarcasm-laced letter to school staff, posting it on social media for all to see.
The post has been shared more than 10,000 times, and attracted more than 18,000 reactions.
In the tongue-in-cheek letter, addressed to a staff member, Mrs Mclaughlin writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation for the life-altering guidance you’ve provided my daughter with today.
“Who knew that something as insignificant as the bows on her socks could cause such educational disruption?
“Clearly, I was misguided in thinking that her focus should be on, I don’t know, actual learning.”
The mother goes on to praise the teacher’s “keen eye for detail”, saying it was “remarkable” how he “zeroed in on those tiny bows, as if they were a clear and present danger to her academic progress”.
“I had no idea that a small piece of fabric could wield such power over her ability to learn maths, read, or concentrate in class,” she adds.
“Thank you for opening my eyes to this vital issue.”
Ms McLaughlin also mentioned how walking around with holes in her socks would affect her “street cred”, and how she has now become the subject of teasing.
The mum continued: “Her friends now think we can’t even afford a proper pair of socks.
“What a wonderful way to kick off the school year!”
Ms Mclaughlin said she tried to contact the teacher at 3.32pm and was told they would call her back.
She signs off her letter as “Merissa, Proud Parent of a Sock Hole Advocate”.
The mum admits the uniform policy requires plain black or white socks, with frills or bows ‘not allowed’, but says many of the girls were wearing bows last year without issue.
Mrs Mclaughlin told the Manchester Evening News the school have since called her to say she will be reimbursed for the cost of the socks, but the policy remains in place.
Headteacher Rorick Houghton told the outlet: “The school has high expectations of our students, and this includes an expectation that students arrive in the correct school uniform.
“Any changes to this year’s uniform expectations were communicated to students and parents prior to the summer holidays.
“Where parents or carers have any questions or concerns, we encourage them to contact the school so that a member of our leadership team can discuss these with them at the earliest opportunity.”
