School banned my daughter, 12, from ‘diversity day' for wearing Union Jack dress – the reason was ridiculous
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A GIRL was banned from a school's cultural diversity day — for wearing a Union Jack dress.
Heartbroken pupil Courtney Wright, 12, was told: 'You get to celebrate being British everyday, this is for everybody else.'
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Heartbroken Courtney Wright, 12, was told she couldn't join in as 'being British is celebrated every day'
Credit: Roland Leon
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Courtney's furious dad Stuart Field slammed the school for 'virtue signalling'
Credit: sUPPLIED
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Girl Geri Halliwell in her iconic Union Jack dress
Credit: Alamy
The Year 7 pupil teamed her dress — similar to the one worn by Spice Girl Geri Halliwell in the 90s, above — with a matching bowler hat.
She also planned to read a speech celebrating tea, Shakespeare, fish and chips and the royals.
But the grade-A student was stopped by teachers who gave her the option of wearing a second-hand uniform instead.
Courtney refused before her dad Stuart Field, 47, arrived to collect her from Bilton School in Rugby, Warwickshire.
Last night, he slammed the school for 'virtue signalling' and said he had since received a grovelling apology.
The dad of five told The Sun: 'Her head of year bizarrely said that if she had worn a suit of armour or a nurse's outfit, she probably would have been allowed.
"It's ridiculous. The irony is they were having a cultural diversity day and yet they singled out a group of people.
'She's a grade-A student and they have vilified her and punished her for being proud of being British.'
He said a mum told him her son was banned for wearing a farmer's outfit.
The marine engineer, from Coventry, added: 'This was Courtney's interpretation of British culture and what it means to her.
Homeowner divides opinion with Union Jack driveway as some praise 'patriot' but others say it'll 'knock £20k off house'
"Their response goes against all the school's inclusion policies. She was segregated from the kids taking part.'
Before last Friday's event, head Jayne Delves wrote to parents: 'This special day is dedicated to recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school community.
"Students across all year groups will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of cultural activities.'
In her speech, Courtney hoped to say: 'We have lots of traditions including drinking tea, our love of talking about the weather and our Royal Family.
'We have amazing history, like kings and queens, castles and writers like Shakespeare.'
She would add: 'Sometimes at school we only hear about other cultures — which is great because learning about different countries is interesting and important.
'But it can feel like being British doesn't count as a culture, just because it's the majority.'
The school responded: 'We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. We've since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better.
'We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring every student feels recognised and supported.'
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