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Mum Tara Fifield pulls children out of Cedar Primary School in Strood over shorts uniform row

A mum who was banned from her daughters’ school after a row over uniform has now taken both her children out of the primary.

Tara Fifield, 26, was told last week she was no longer welcome at Cedar Primary School, Strood, following a dispute over the shorts Samantha, seven, wears under her skirt.

The mum-of-four sent Samantha and her younger sister, four-year-old Tammy, to school wearing cotton cycling-style shorts to protect their modesty.

Tara Fifield outside Cedar Primary School
Tara Fifield outside Cedar Primary School

However, one day last week when Samantha got home from school, she told her mum she had been made to take the shorts off.

Following a row over the matter, the school said it had banned Miss Fifield because she became rude and aggressive towards teachers in front of young children.

After the story caused a stir online and on social media this week, Miss Fifield said she had removed both girls from the school.

"I have been overwhelmed with the support I have had... I have had people stopping me in the street saying they saw my story and I did the right thing" - Tara Fifield

Samantha will be home-schooled for a while and Tammy is starting at another infants school on Monday.

Miss Fifield said: “I am now paying for a home tutor for my eldest and my youngest will be going to a more suitable school for her.

“I have been overwhelmed with the support I have had. The online poll is in my favour.

“I have had people stopping me in the street saying they saw my story and I did the right thing. I don’t regret going public.”

Miss Fifield has written to Cedar asking for a meeting to resolve the issue, but said she had not yet heard back from the school.

Video: Tara Fifield has removed her children from school after the uniform row

Chairman of governors Debbie Wadhams said there had been a recent uniform policy change at the school and girls could wear culottes or trousers instead of a skirt.

Miss Fifield said: “My daughter is a real girly-girl and even though I have bought her school trousers to wear, she doesn’t want to look like a boy.”

After the row, Miss Fifield was sent a letter barring her from the school. She then returned to the school to query the ban and, when she said she would not leave until her questions had been answered, police were called.

Tara Fifield holds a pair of the controversial shorts and the letter barring her from Cedar Primary
Tara Fifield holds a pair of the controversial shorts and the letter barring her from Cedar Primary

The school said it introduced the new policy to address hygiene issues because some pupils wore shorts under their skirts during the summer.

Miss Fifield said there were no hygiene issues with her children as she bathed them every night.

Ms Wadhams added: “Our uniform policy is published on our website with parents’ agreement.

“This lady shouted and screamed at staff in front of children and aggressive behaviour is not tolerated at the school.”

Miss Fifield denied being aggressive but admitted raising her voice at staff.

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