THE father of a boy who was taken out of class on his second day because his footwear did not conform to a new uniform policy has spoken of his "utter disgust" over the current enforcement procedures.

IT specialist and photographer Adrian Downing said his son Joshua (11), had been isolated from his classmates at Crediton's Queen Elizabeth's Community College because he was wearing black trainers and not the required black shoes.

He explained: "I cannot believe that they have isolated him from his classmates and in effect, punishing him, on his second day for an oversight on our part.

"We buy his shoes, not Joshua, and we should be the ones spoken to in the first instance."

He explained that the trainers Joshua was wearing had traces of grey in them and for this reason, was told they were not permitted under the school's new uniform policy.

Mr Downing said that he first received a telephone call informing him that Joshua had been removed from his lesson, which was then followed by a letter.

He said Joshua was a happy yet timid boy who did not have a lot of self-confidence.

He added: "Moving from a small community school like Copplestone to such a large one like QECC can be a daunting process for anyone which is why I am both shocked and appalled of the actions of the staff at QECC.

"The fact that he has been isolated has angered me beyond belief as this is going to have a huge psychological impact on him.

"We now face the task of attempting to rebuild his confidence once again as well as the task of encouraging him to go to the school he was initially quite excited about going to, if not a little apprehensive, but now no longer wants to attend."

Mrs Suzanne Downing confirmed that Joshua had to spend two lessons segregated in a classroom.

About QECC, she said: "I felt total shock and a little bit of disgust, too, at the way they handled things.

"I think they could have handled it a bit better than they did. I just felt bad for Josh, really and the way he was treated."

The college's new rules say: "We want our students to wear footwear which is entirely black in colour, and should be a shoe not a trainer or sandal.

"A black leather shoe without motifs, thicker trainer style laces, trainer style welts and without high heels is the meaning of our description."

The college said clear guidance had been issued to all parents on several occasions both about the expectations over uniform and the sanctions which would apply if these were not met. Joshua came to school wearing trainers, so he was sent to sit with our trained Behaviour Management team while we attempted to contact his parents. He was then allowed back into lessons after which we checked twice that he was OK.

The college said it was not an unfeeling or uncaring and the last thing it wanted to do was traumatise children, but with a major change like this, we needed to be very clear that students had to comply and be prepared to back this up with firm action.

Josh now has a new pair of shoes that fit the rules.

Concerning the change of uniform at QECC, the college principal, Richard Newton Chance, told the Courier: "We are absolutely delighted with the response we have had from students and parents over the change of uniform. It looks like a different school!

"Indeed, some of our school bus drivers said when they picked students up on the first day back that they weren't sure where to take them.

"The school and our Governors have worked hard over the past year to consult over the change and then plan for a seamless transfer. With one or two exceptions, we seem to have done this pretty successfully.

"There are always arguments over school uniform. It's one of those issues where there are wide-ranging opinions and you just have to accept that whatever you do, you're not going to please everybody.

"In fact, we consulted our families, students and staff twice over this change and tried to keep the debate as live and open as possible through meetings, letters, the web and our half-termly newsletter.

"Having considered a number of options, the majority opinion was to change from the sweatshirt and polo shirt of the old, to a blazer and tie in the well established black and gold of QE.

"We are clear that a school uniform makes a very clear and visible distinction between home and social life and being a member of our learning community. It helps our young people make the connection between themselves, their community, their school and its history and their purpose in being here.

"It also helps them take pride in themselves and in their school.

"We did back the change up with sanctions against those who were not complying, but we are very pleased to say we haven't had to use these beyond the second day.

"Our thanks go to Town and Country and Thomas Moore for their support as our suppliers.

"Finally, we would like to issue a very big thank you to all our students and parents for having made this such a successful transition."

The Courier reported about the introduction of the proposed new uniform in its issue of August 20.

The August article stated that members of the college support and leadership team would decide if uniform rules have been broken and failure to comply with these rules might result in sanctions being imposed, such as detention, isolation or being sent home to change into the correct uniform.

Some of the students have told the Courier they are "unhappy" at the introduction of the new uniform.

Typical comments received were that it is "too hot to wear the jacket in warm weather" and the students have to ask if they can take them off.

Other comments are that the introduction of the uniform is counter productive because the whole reason for wearing it is to help the students learn in a better way but, they say, this is disrupted at the beginning of each lesson as fellow students are pulled out of class.

Many parents and Kirtonians, however, have been supportive of QECC and the introduction of the uniform policy.

One told the Courier: "The parent's had plenty of time to sort out what the children would be wearing before the start of the new term and the college publicised it and indeed consulted parents many months before."

A Courier reader said: "I think the students look really smart. It is a vast improvement. I really think it will help them improve things at QECC."

• What do you think of QECC's new uniform? Write to the Courier and let us know by email at: [email protected]">[email protected] .

Alan Quick