A secondary school pupil was excluded for refusing to take off her coat during the recent sub-zero temperatures.

Jodanna Bromley, a year 11 pupil at Harper Green School, Farnworth, says that she and a number of others were temporarily excluded from school for a day after they refused to take their coat off as they were coming into school.

And the GCSE year pupil had to spend two days in the school behaviour centre.

The punishment was handed out last week when outside temperatures were reached around -7C.

Jordanna, aged 15,  added: “I went to school on Wednesday morning and a teacher told me to take my coat off when I was outside.

“I said no so she screamed at me and told me it was school policy and I got excluded for wearing my coat.

“I think about nine people got excluded that day for wearing their coats.

“It was at 9am and it was cold. I think it’s stupid. It’s minus seven degrees outside.”

The Bolton News: Jordanna Bromley in her coat and school uniform Jordanna Bromley in her coat and school uniform (Image: Eva Stretton)

In an email pupils  were reminded that they were not permitted to wear coats and hoodies around school and have to take them off before entering the building.

The email says that they can wear them at break and lunch time but not between lessons and that coats should be carried around school in a bag.

The rules state that if a coat is seen by a member off staff around school outside break and lunch time it shall be confiscated until the end of the day.

The email states: "Yes it's very cold, and dark after four. Yes it is nearly Christmas, when Santa begins his tour.

"But coats and hood's still shouldn't be seen. So when they're confiscated, don't think we are mean.

"A reminder that you can wear a coat to school and at breaktime and lunch (not in between lessons). This should not be carried around with you but go in your bag."

Jordanna’s mum, Eva Stretton, says she does not understand why the school could not relax the rule given the freezing conditions.

“When I was at school, they told us to put our coats on inside when it was cold.

“If I sent her out without a coat on, they’d say I was putting her health at risk.

“It makes me feel the school is more bothered about their image and their policies that the health and safety of the kids.”

The Bolton News: Eva (middle) and Jordanna (right) with sister Izebella (left)Eva (middle) and Jordanna (right) with sister Izebella (left) (Image: Eva Stretton)

Eva says she went in for a meeting and they explained that the rule was in place so that students could be identified if they are misbehaving.

She added: “I didn’t really understand it, to be honest.

“They should relax the rule for a bit. It’s too cold.

"And they have to go outside from one building to another. 

"I don’t know why they don’t have a cloak room. It’s a big enough building."

The Bolton News has also been contacted by other students who have reported that they have also been excluded.

Harper Green has been contacted for a comment.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.