Parents Fined, Risk Losing Their Jobs Because Their Children Got Their Ears Pierced

(Dan Tri) - Ms. Helen Gent, living in Newark town, Nottinghamshire county, England, is facing court punishment and is at risk of losing her job for letting her daughter get her ears pierced during the school year.

Lucille (14 years old), daughter of Helen Gent (45 years old), attends Magnus Academy in Newark (UK). According to school regulations, students are not allowed to wear any type of piercing while attending school. However, Lucille had her ears pierced for the 2023-2024 school year, and was instructed by the piercing staff to wear the piercing for 6-8 weeks to create a hole in her ear and avoid infection.

Because of this action, Lucille was disciplined at school, the female student was asked to leave the classroom and was only allowed to return after removing the piercing.

Student Lucille at the time of her ear piercing (Photo: DM).

Helen and her mother initially thought that the small, simple stud would not make Lucille a school rule violator. However, school rules forbid students from wearing any type of piercing, including simple earrings.

Helen went to the school to explain to the school board but was not approved so decided to let her daughter study at home for 5 days. After that, Lucille was allowed to return to class using clear plastic earrings.

At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, Helen received a letter from the school stating that Lucille had taken unauthorised absences during the previous school year. As Lucille’s parent, Helen was responsible for this and was ordered to pay a fine of £60 (nearly VND2 million). This fine would double if Lucille did not pay the fine within 28 days.

Despite the risk of increased fines and even a criminal record for not complying with the decision jointly made by the school and authorities, Ms. Helen decided not to pay the fine. She affirmed that Lucille had to leave school entirely because of the school, and that she and her daughter did not want her to be absent from school without permission.

Mrs. Helen and her daughter Lucille (Photo: DM).

Helen has now received a court summons. The case has attracted public attention. Speaking to the British media, Helen said that during Lucille's five days of unauthorized leave, she took her daughter to school every day so she could attend class, but every day the girl was asked to deal with the problem with the piercing.

According to Helen, it was the school that did not allow Lucille to enter the classroom, and she did not allow her child to be absent from school without permission. Helen believes that the school has taken the matter too far, making it a big deal; Lucille is a good student and does not deserve to be treated so harshly.

The case has now been accepted by Nottinghamshire County Court. Helen has been forced to hire a lawyer to defend her and said that if the court finds her guilty of allowing her daughter to be absent from school without permission, she will have her criminal record recorded. This will make it difficult for her to apply for a job in the future, and may even affect her current job.

"I am a taxi driver, taxi companies are very concerned about the legal compliance of their employees. I have never had any problems with the law before. If I am found guilty, it will affect my job. This whole story is ridiculous," said Ms. Helen.

In addition, Helen also said that Magnus Academy's uniform regulations were too strict. In response to Helen's comments, a representative of Magnus Academy responded to the media that the school's regulations were very clear.

Parents can access the school’s policies in a number of ways, including on the school’s website. These policies have remained stable and unchanged for the past six years.

In addition, the school is always ready to work with parents to quickly resolve issues related to students. For students who violate discipline regulations and cannot enter the classroom, the school always has teachers in charge of them during school hours, so that they can stay in school safely.

Magnus Academy is located in the town of Newark (UK) (Photo: DM).

In response to Helen’s case, many British parents expressed sympathy but still considered her behavior inappropriate. Every school has clear rules, parents need to understand them clearly and help their children comply. This is a way for parents and students to show respect for the school and also respect for themselves.

Many parents said that their children's schools also prohibit students from wearing any type of piercing to school, so they choose to have their children's ears pierced as soon as the summer vacation begins, so that their children do not violate school discipline.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/phu-huynh-bi-phat-tien-co-nguy-co-mat-viec-vi-con-bam-lo-tai-20241107214539636.htm