A mother has expressed her frustration after her daughter was punished for wearing brightly coloured socks in support of charity. Caroline Hargadon, 45, said her daughter Milly’s high school informed her that the socks, worn for World Down Syndrome Day, did not comply with the school’s uniform policy.
The socks, purchased for £8 from the charity Down Syndrome International, featured blue and purple faces. Milly, 12, had been praised for raising awareness by wearing them in 2024, her mother said. However, this year, staff at Colne Primet Academy in Lancashire warned that Milly would be removed from class and placed in isolation if she did not take them off.
Milly wore the socks to support World Down Syndrome Day and honour her brother, Brody, who was born with the genetic condition. Her mother explained: “She didn’t want to take them off because they were for her little brother, who she’s really close to. But the school said they understood, yet insisted it was not part of the uniform.”
Unwilling to let Milly face consequences for what she believed was not wrongdoing, Caroline chose to take her daughter home.
World Down Syndrome Day, observed on March 21, highlights the trisomy—or triplication—of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.
A spokesperson for Colne Primet Academy stated: “As a school, we recognise and celebrate a variety of charity and national events, which are scheduled throughout the year. While we respect that students and families support personal causes, these must be arranged in advance and agreed upon with the school.”
Down Syndrome International has been contacted for comment.