Eastbourne mum's fury over school Christmas jumper row

Emma Teese said she feared 13-year-old Jack would suffer from sensory overload due to the bright colours and texture of a festive sweater.

Instead he wore his school uniform underneath a black and white checked overshirt.

Emma said shortly after Jack arrived at Ratton School in Eastbourne on Christmas jumper day she received a phone call from the school.

She said: “They were having an issue with Jack because he wasn’t wearing a Christmas jumper.”

The youngster is registered disabled after he was diagnosed with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pathological demand avoidance (PDA) seven years ago.

Emma, from Eastbourne, said: “Jack wanted to wear an autism friendly jumper, so he wasn’t overloaded." 

The school is part of the South Downs Learning Trust (Image: Google)

She said Jack was proud of his outfit for the non-school uniform day and was “enthusiastic to participate and be included”.

But Emma claimed a teacher refused to teach Jack after he turned up to class wearing the  shirt. She said: “The teacher was point blank refusing to teach Jack unless he was wearing a Christmas jumper.

“Jack became very upset about not participating. That’s the opposite of the festive spirit.”

She said the incident was "escalated" to senior staff and she was told Jack would be taught in isolation with another teacher.

Emma said: "I said either they retracted the isolation or I would take him home, which I did."

She said she explained to the staff concerned why Jack was not wearing a Christmas jumper.

She said she feels he was discriminated against, adding: “I felt so anxious about it. It has ruined Christmas for us. Jack is quite distraught.

“The way he was made to feel as though he deserved to be punished is awful. He’s my son. If I had not bought a Christmas jumper and sent him in with it that’s my responsibility.”

Jack is pictured with his mum Emma wearing the checked overshirt he wore on the day (Image: Emma Teese)

Emma, 30, who is on maternity leave after giving birth to Jack's little brother Lucas five months ago, said the "stress the school has caused" her is unfair.

She hopes the incident was a one-off and said: “I would like all children to be treated with inclusivity.”

Paul Murphy, executive headteacher at Ratton School, said: “We are aware of the complaint and have been in touch with the family about their concerns.

“We are looking into what happened and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”