THE Mossbourne Federation education trust continues to find itself at the forefront of controversy, featuring negatively on local social media over its dress code and out of school rules, which forbid students in uniform from entering local shops or 'loitering' on streets.

And, at the same time as a mum has gone public about the distress caused to her tall daughter when she was barred from school, a petition has been launched calling on the Federation to change its rules.

Teachers from Fobbing Academy (formerly Gable Hall) have been pictured stopping children entering the nearby Co-op on Gardner Avenue and there reports that other stores in the area have had a similar teacher presence.

Some traders have joined the debate on social media saying they believe they are being penalised and losing trade because of the Federation's policy, which also affects Mossbourne Portside Academy, formerly Hassenbrook.

Mossbourne teachers on patrol outside Fobbing academy's curtilage.

Homesteads independent ward councillor Gary Byrne has been a leading critic of Mossbourne. He has called for change and an easing of 'Draconian' measures following complaints about school uniform imposition and the shops ban from parents, saying: "This is another example of overstepping the mark with control measures.

"Preventing students from using local shops is another nail in the coffin of our traders.

"Mossbourne should not sanction a child for using the shops when its own outsourced caterers are far from delivering a satisfactory service.

"The Trust is effectively trying to control its students once outside the school gates. I would also challenge the legality of that."

Cllr Gary Byrne (centre) recently joined a group of parents and campaigners to making their views known with a protest outside Fobbing Academy.

Mossbourne says: "Our ultimate priority is to make sure our academies are a safe place for students. We extend this commitment to when they are also in the community, particularly when travelling to and from school.

"Our extensive experience shows that children are safest when parents and carers are aware of their whereabouts and they do not congregate in large groups without adult supervision.

"As such, we encourage our students to travel directly home at the end of the school day. We do however fully support local businesses – our students are welcome to attend shops when they have reached home, are out of uniform and have full parent and carer permission to do so."

Peter Hughes

Earlier this year the Mossbourne CEO Peter Hughes defended the Trust's policies and said he expected there would be some vindication when GCSE results were published. And supporters of the Trust said the proof of improvement within its schools came with the publication of results at Fobbing Academy last month.  

The latest story to raise concern follow's a mother's public complaint about her daughter being isolated and then turned away from school over the length of her skirt - even though it is the longest she could buy from the Trust's uniform supplier.

The student, who started her first day at secondary school last week, was placed in isolation before being turned away until she brought trousers despite wearing a knee-length skirt, her mum has claimed.

Milan Jones had her first full day at the Mossbourne Fobbing Academy but was not allowed to join her class for the entire day.

Mum Hazel Jones, from Stanford-le-Hope, says she bought her daughter's uniform from the only shop that provides Mossbourne uniforms and was measured and fitted with a 24in skirt – the longest length available.

Tall problem: Milan Jones.

Milan is 5ft 6in at just 11 years old and the family claim none of the school's skirts are long enough to meet rules.

Mrs Jones said her daughter attended for a half day the previous Friday when she was told she may have to wear tights at some point as she was tall.

However, Milan attended on Tuesday wearing thick tights but was turned away and told she could not attend lessons until she bought trousers.

She said: "On her first full day she'd been in isolation from 8.15am in the morning to almost 4pm in the afternoon. Can you imagine, this is her first time in high school?

"We took her to school on Tuesday, and they still wouldn't let her in even though she was then wearing thick tights with her skirt.

"They said we can go and look for trousers but she couldn't go in class. They said someone could bring the trousers but she needed to be with us so we can get the fit right. What if I had no money for the trousers?"

"The way they treated her was really horrible. It's 2025 and you can't be treating children like that."

Milan's parents say they are now preparing to move her to another secondary school.

Mrs Jones said: "She was at Abbots Hall Primary School, Stanford-le-Hope. She had high marks and good grades and had never been in trouble and was often awarded for doing well

"It's basically telling her 'this is how we're going to treat you. Anything small, this is what we're going to do to you' and children will be scared. It's bullying them and putting fear into them."

Mossbourne has been contacted comment about Milan's situation.

Concern among many parents over a number of matters is such that a petition has been launched to try and force a change of Trust policies.

Lisa Jones, who has children at Fobbing Academy launched the petition, saying: "Since Mossbourne took over, both students and parents have faced considerable distress due to the new rules.

"As a parent of children attending this school, I have experienced firsthand the challenges these policies impose. For instance, my daughter and son have been given detentions as frequently as sweets are handed out, which undermines their education and well-being.

The petition page.

"Currently, the school practices a 'reflection' system where children are removed from their lessons for an entire day.

"This severe punishment is often meted out for minor infractions such as wearing a skirt slightly above the knee—which can happen if a child is tall—or wearing trainers because their school shoes fell apart and parents couldn't replace them immediately due to time constraints. Such harsh measures are unfair and detrimental to students' academic progress and self-esteem.

"Additionally, the school's restriction on mobile phone use to and from school has been distressing. If a student is caught with their phone, it's confiscated for 10 days. This policy disconnects children from their parents and adds unnecessary anxiety.

"Furthermore, the prohibition on students visiting local shops before or after school is not only restrictive for them but also negatively impacts local businesses. These shops rely on students as their primary customers, and this ban has led to dissatisfaction within the community.

"We propose a review and revision of these policies to better reflect the realities of students' lives and the needs of our community.

"Solutions must be practical, empathetic, and considerate, ensuring that students are supported rather than punished unfairly. By signing this petition, you can help us urge the school administration to make much-needed changes, fostering a more welcoming and constructive environment for our children and maintaining the community's economic well-being. Please sign this petition to support the call for more sensible and fair policies at Mossbourne."

The petition was started on Wednesday and has already gathered more than 220 signatires.