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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Corey Bedford

Boy, 12, ordered to remove Adidas face mask in school because it 'wasn't part of uniform'

A mum has hit out after her son was ordered to remove his face mask with an Adidas logo on it because it broke his school's uniform policy.

Jermaine Welsh, 12, wore the black face mask with a small white logo for three weeks before being told it was unsuitable.

Ormiston Maritime Academy in Grimsby had provided all students with a black face mask in case they did not have one of their own.

But Jermaine decided he preferred his own over the ones provided, Grimsby Live reports.

The main difference was a small white Adidas logo on the side of the mask.

Jermaine's mum Lisa has hit out at the school rule (MEN MEDIA)

He continued to wear the mask in the corridors between classes for three weeks until he was told by a teacher it went against school policy and he had to swap it for a disposable blue mask for the rest of the day.

Jermaine's mum, Lisa, 47, was unaware of what had happened until she noticed her son had coloured in the white logo on his mask later in the week and asked him about it.

She has since contacted the school and has spoken with them about it, but she does not see why branded masks are a problem.

Lisa said: "I first found out because I noticed he'd coloured his mask in to cover the logo, and he told me he was told off earlier this week because of it.

The mask, which the schoolboy was not allowed to wear (Daily Record)

"I called the school first thing on Friday morning and when they got back to me, they explained it's now compulsory for masks to be plain black as part of their uniform.

"I'm not sure what to do now, because he's been wearing that mask since the start of term without any teachers saying anything, and now it's suddenly a problem.

"Before he coloured it in, it was just a small white logo on the side of the mask. I got him it because I knew he'd wear it and I figured getting him one he would like to wear would help him get into the habit of wearing it around school.

Ormiston Maritime Academy said the mask did not fit with its uniform policy (MEN MEDIA)

"I just don't get it. It's not a brightly coloured mask, it's a plain black mask with a small logo on the side."

This is the first time that Lisa has heard about the change in uniform from the school, but she questions why the colour of the mask is necessary when they only wear it in the corridors.

Lisa said: "I'd understand it if I was hearing about the change in uniform at the start of term, but it's three weeks in and this is the first I'm hearing of it.

"The school did provide everyone with a black mask to wear, and they've offered to provide him with another just in case, but I don't see why it's an issue to begin with.

"It's not like uniform has ever been a problem for him, this is the first time we've had an issue with it.

"Some kids don't even like wearing masks, I see it all the time working in a shop, but he wants to wear it, which was delightful for me to hear, I just don't see how a logo on a mask makes that big of a difference.

"They've brought it in as part of the uniform, but it's a mask! It's only worn when they're in the corridors and the main priority is to keep people safe.

"There's much worse things going on in the world at the moment than worrying about a small logo on a mask."

A spokesperson for Ormiston Maritime Academy said:  " The high standards we uphold as an  Academy  are reflected in all areas of school life.

"In November, the decision was taken to introduce masks to enhance our robust health and safety measures.

"This was promptly communicated with pupils and parents, along with the provision of a free reusable mask, advice on how keep the mask clean and hygienic, and guidelines regarding other suitable options for face coverings, including plain back masks or daily disposal masks, should pupils wish to supply their own.

"So far, pupils and parents have responded positively to this additional health and safety measure but on the small number of occasions where masks have not been compliant with these guidelines, we have worked with our pupils and parents to rectify this as swiftly as possible."

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