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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chris Adams & Shiler Mahmoudi

Police called to school after mum questions 'punishing' coronavirus policy

The police were called to a school after a mum protested the school's treatment of her daughter after she had Covid.

Rebecca Barratt and her partner Paul Breese, from Tamworth, came to the school on separate occasions to express their outrage after their daughter was not allowed to go outside on her breaks.

The have said that their daughter, Isabella, 10, was told she must stay inside during break-times to protect the other students and catch up on work.

According to Rebecca, when Isabella was diagnosed with coronavirus, she was instructed by the school that she could return after four days in isolation.

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Rebecca Barratt was left 'humiliated' after police were called to escort her out of the school (Rebecca Barratt/BPM Media)

But, after seeking guidance on the NHS website, she had decided to keep Isabella at home for longer as her sore throat and headache symptoms had persisted.

When Isabella returned to school on September 27, she was informed of the break-time restrictions.

Mum, Rebecca had gone to the school on September 30 where two PCSOs were called in.

Paul had also gone to the school the day before, with a similar outcome.

She denies behaving in a way that would require the police officers to remove her, and that she was already leaving.

The couple were visited by the police the next day, but she denies being abusive or threatening.

They have both been banned from Landau Forte Academy Greenacres in Tamworth after the row.

Speaking about the experience, Rebecca said: “I felt totally humiliated. The school’s attitude has been totally disgusting.

"All I wanted was answers. It is totally over-the-top."

Rebecca added: “I’ve been painted as aggressive and threatening, which I’ve never been.

"Why should my character be damaged when I’ve not done this?

“My daughter has been told to stay in and made to feel dirty because she was ill. She has been punished for being poorly.”

Letter from Landau Forte Academy Greenacres warning the parents that they must not enter the school premises (Rebecca Barratt/BPM Media)

In a letter to the couple, the school said: “I am writing to you concerning your abusive and aggressive behaviour at Landau Forte Academy Greenacres on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Your interaction with members of staff has become increasingly distressing, including your use of inflammatory language.

“The school and trust has continued to try and give you and your child every possible element of support, but unfortunately it has not been possible to work out a way forward that meets your requirements.

"Going forward, you are banned from the premises with immediate effect except to collect your daughter from outside the school gates."

The letter also warned that if the parents fail to comply, they will take action under Section 547 of the Education Act 1996 to remove them from the premises or an application will be made for a court injunction.

In a later statement, the school added: “As a school we have followed the Covid-19 guidance provided by Public Health England and the Department for Education.

"We have put in place recommended Covid precautions to minimise the risk of transmission at the school, and will continue to follow these in order to protect pupils and staff.”

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