Schoolboy Taught In Isolation Because His Tie Deemed A Health And Safety Risk

Schoolboy Taught In Isolation Because His Tie Deemed A Health And Safety Risk

A boy of 13 was made to do his lessons in isolation because his TIE was deemed a health and safety hazard by his school.

Max Richmond's teachers at Colne Community School in Brightlingsea, Essex said his school tie breached regulations because it was not a 'clip-on' style – despite being exactly the same in terms of colour and design as the uniform version.

Max said he preferred to wear a proper tie rather than a 'childish' clip-on one.

"People have worn them for generations. If you are not wearing one ­during secondary school then you are never going to learn the necessary skills for when you go into the world of work," he said.

"When you are wearing a clip-on tie it is hard to be taken seriously, especially when you go to competitions against other schools. It feels foolish and childish."

Employment Minister Mark Hoban told the Daily Express that the school's decision was an 'absolutely absurd abuse of health and safety'.

"There's nothing in the rules that requires schoolchildren to wear clip-on ties," he said.

Nardeep Sharma, the school's head, said the dress code was now under review.

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