A school has issued an apology after isolating a 12-year-old girl for wearing a Union Flag dress during its Culture Celebration Day. Courtney Wright chose the dress to honor her British heritage but was removed from class and made to sit in the reception area until her father arrived.
Courtney’s father, Stuart Field, 47, expressed his dismay at the treatment his daughter received at Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire. “Courtney was so embarrassed and couldn’t understand what she’d done wrong,” he said. “She should never have been made to feel ashamed for celebrating her British culture and history. Nobody I’ve spoken to can understand why wearing the Union Flag would be seen as unacceptable.”
The school’s Culture Celebration Day aims to “promote inclusion, understanding, and appreciation of different backgrounds, traditions, and heritages.” For the event, Courtney also prepared a speech to accompany her outfit, showing her pride in her roots.
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However, despite this, the school contacted Stuart early on the morning of the event, informing him that Courtney’s dress was deemed inappropriate. She was subsequently isolated in the school reception area for several hours, causing distress and confusion.
Stuart added, “The school eventually apologized after the governors became involved. But the damage was already done. Courtney doesn’t feel comfortable wearing the dress or reading her speech now, as she feels she is being put on display rather than genuinely supported.”
The incident sparked widespread support on social media, with people from across the globe expressing outrage at the school’s actions and affirming the importance of celebrating cultural identity.
Following the backlash, the Stowe Valley Trust, which oversees Bilton School, released a statement acknowledging the incident and offering a sincere apology. They emphasized their commitment to diversity, respect, and inclusion, stating that they are reviewing policies and enhancing staff training to prevent similar situations in the future.
The school affirmed, “We deeply regret the distress caused and are dedicated to ensuring all pupils feel valued and supported in expressing pride in their heritage.”