The student voice has been expressed at Castle Rushen High School and that voice has forced a change in the uniform.
It means from next month, sixth form students will be allowed to wear discreet nose studs if they wish.
Year 12 student Chelsea Crossley, 17, explained the background. ‘The students who had piercing felt strongly about the rules not allowing them.
‘A group decided we would come together and form an argument.’
Chelsea and fellow student Amy Robinson, 16, argued to the school governors in February that disallowing the nose studs meant: ‘You were not allowed to express your individuality,’ said Chelsea.
She added as sixth formers, who had moved beyond compulsory education and chosen to continue their studies, they should be treated differently to younger students, sixth formers already wear a different uniform of black and white, whereas students in younger year groups wear navy blue.
‘In sixth form we like to feel there is more leniency, we do not want to be treated with the same prohibition as younger students. We are already allowed some freedom, like free periods, etc,’ she said.
To form a compelling argument, they researched the subject, ‘we looked at all the different interpretations of everyone’s views, emailed universities and employers. A lot of the time they accepted piercings … we did a lot of research.’
The governors asked some searching questions, but were ultimately convinced by their argument and from June 10, students in Key Stage five (years 12 and 13) will be allowed to wear a single discreet nose stud (not bar or loop) piercing. Piercings to eyebrow, lip and tongue are excluded.
Key Stage five team leader Liz Wood said: ‘They should be commended on using their student voice and putting together a presentation which was very clear.’
Delighted with their success, Chelsea said: ‘It was such a great feeling, we actually achieved something we set out to achieve.
‘We thought we were not going to get it, we doubted we would do it.
‘It’s the principle of it, not necessarily the actual rule. It’s just evidence of what is actually achievable when you challenge such authority against all the odds … I learned how to change things.’
• What do you think? Do you agree that older students should be allowed to wear a nose stud if they wish?
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