I am writing regarding the story I read in the Guardian about the school shoe policy at Harris Academy South Norwood.

My daughter Talitha has been in a similar situation since last week, she has black leather shoes but because they are hard wearing and have a thicker sole, the school or headmaster considered them trainers.

They are not trainers they are black leather polish-able shoes.

There is no colourful stitching or colour at all as she has already learned her lesson about that.

Mr Hainey was alerted to her shoes last week Friday and asked Talitha to put on a £2 pair of second hand plimsolls which according to her looked disgusting.

When she refused she was sent home and missed a whole day of lessons, she returned to school on Monday and was put in a referral unit designed for unruly kids, she was not allowed to have go out of the room for lunch, socialise with her friends at break time, get any help with her work or leave school at the end of the school day.

Talitha has been in this unit for a week and has not been able to attend her lessons, despite me telling the school I cannot afford to get Talitha new school shoes right now considering the shoes that she already has are perfect for school.

I have asked for a copy of their school uniform policy but have not received one.

I do not find this acceptable that a school child should be kept from a week of lessons because of footwear.

Julie Lacey