Pupils at a school where a girl was sent home from a culture day celebration for wearing a Union Jack dress were told to ‘proudly represent their heritage’, a letter to parents has revealed.
Bilton School, in Rugby, Warwickshire, has sparked a major backlash after 12-year-old Courtney Wright was ordered to change out of her Spice Girls-style dress.
The straight-A student, who had planned to talk about history and traditions in a talk she had prepared, said she had come into school ‘proud’ to show off her ‘iconic’ Ginger Spice dress but was left feeling ’embarrassed’ and ‘upset’.
Courtney said she was ‘isolated’ from her friends and not allowed to attend lessons, instead having to wait in reception until her father Stuart Field picked her up.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appeared to throw his support behind Courtney, with No 10 releasing a statement making clear ‘that being British is something to be celebrated’.
The almighty backlash has forced Bilton School to perform a dramatic U-turn, saying ‘we deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies.’
They have even offered Courtney the chance to run a charity event wearing the Union Flag dress and allow her to give her speech – something her father said was simply a ‘box-ticking’ exercise.
A letter sent to parents on June 27 now reveals how pupils were actively ‘encouraged’ to celebrate Culture Day on Friday July 11.
Courtney Wright poses for a photo showing her costume after being made to leave school on culture day
She was hauled out of lessons and made to sit in reception until her father Stuart Field (pictured) collected her
Mr Field said Courtney wanted to wear the dress to celebrate being British and the Spice Girls, taking inspiration from Geri Halliwell (pictured) in her iconic dress
This is the letter that was sent to parents ahead of Culture Day – before the schoolgirl was sent home for wearing a Union Jack dress
‘This special day is dedicated to recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school community,’ the letter said.
‘Students across all year groups will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of cultural activities, designed to promote inclusion, understanding, and appreciation of different backgrounds, traditions, and heritages.
‘As part of the celebration, we would like to invite students to wear traditional cultural dress to school instead of their usual school uniform.
‘This is a fantastic opportunity for students to proudly represent their heritage and learn about the cultures of their peers and staff.
There is no requirement for a donation-this day is purely about cultural celebration and connection. We encourage students to consider wearing attire that reflects their nationality or family heritage.
‘This cannot include sports kits such as football kits. Please ensure that any outfit worn is appropriate for a school setting and holds cultural significance.
‘If your child is unsure about what to wear or has any questions, they are welcome to speak with their form tutor for guidance. If your child chooses to wear cultural dress the document below must be completed by Tuesday 8th July.
‘We look forward to a joyful and meaningful Culture Day at Bilton School.’
Outside the Warwickshire school on Tuesday, parents said they were ‘disgusted and surprised’ by the action taken against Courtney.
In a new interview with The Express, Courtney recounted how the drama began as soon as she arrived at the school gates.
A poster advertising the school’s Culture Day wants students ‘recognising and celebrating the rich cultural diversity within our school community’
‘Straight A’ student Courtney wore a Spice Girls-esque dress as part of her school’s culture day on Friday
She said: ‘You were supposed to be allowed to say something about your culture, and then the teachers were taking pictures of everyone in their costume, but they didn’t take pictures of me. I wasn’t even allowed in the school.
‘I went to the school gates, and someone came up to me and said I am going to take you somewhere to get changed and then after that, I was just put in reception all day.’
Courtney was left devastated by the response, adding: ‘It upset me because I came in really proud, I bought the dress, I chose it myself as I was going to be Ginger Spice, it’s iconic and then I was told I am not allowed in lessons either.’
The schoolgirl says her friends have rallied around her, telling her they love the dress and can’t believe how the school reacted.
Courtney says that although the school have now offered her the chance to deliver her speech in assembly, she does not feel ‘comfortable’ enough to do so. She is in disbelief at why she couldn’t do the speech on Friday but can suddenly do so now.
Mr Field also told The Express how the school have offered Courtney the chance to do a charity run in the dress but he said this was a ‘box ticking’ exercise.
Following outrage at Courtney’s exile from class, the government stated the child was right to celebrate being British.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘The PM has always been clear that being British is something to be celebrated.
‘You can see that from everything this government has done. We are a tolerant, diverse, open country, proud of being British.’
Mr Field said Courtney wanted to wear the dress to celebrate being British, the Spice Girls and the freedom of being able to wear a dress.
The school contacted Mr Field over the weekend and have since apologised for the move
Headteacher Jayne Delves. The school contacted Courtney’s father over the weekend to apologise for the move
‘This was her interpretation of British culture and what it means to her,’ he said.
The child’s father added: ‘She also wrote this speech to go with it and was very proud of what she’d done.’
Courtney said after the ordeal: ‘I felt really embarrassed. I was made to sit in reception all day. All my friends were getting angry at why the teachers were doing that because my dress was wonderful.’
Mr Field, who works in marine restoration, said: ‘Courtney was so embarrassed and couldn’t understand what she’d done wrong.
‘The next thing I get a call at work at around 9am to say she’s not allowed in school dressed like that and that it was unacceptable.’
‘I wasn’t able to get away from work until about midday. They made her sit in reception all morning in front of the receptionists and kept her in isolation.
‘She’s a straight A student, one of the brightest in her year and she’s never been in trouble before so she was really upset.
‘She wasn’t the only kid picked out either – one child from a farming background was turned away at the gates for wearing traditional flat-cap and checked shirt.
‘The school now want her to come back and read the speech, but she doesn’t feel comfortable about it or wearing the dress anymore.’
A spokesman for Stowe Valley Trust said: ‘At Bilton School, we are proud of the diversity of our students and the rich heritage they bring to our community. We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued, and included.
‘On Friday 11th July, an incident occurred during our Culture Celebration Day that caused considerable upset to one of our pupils, her family, and members of the wider community. We deeply regret the distress this has caused and offer our sincere and unreserved apologies.
‘We have since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better. We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage.
‘As a school, we are reviewing our policies and strengthening staff training to ensure our practices reflect our values of inclusion, respect, and understanding for all.’
