Concerns have been raised by parents that a number of children were sent home from CedarBridge Academy on the first day of term because of abuse of the strict dress code.

One mother called The Royal Gazette yesterday to complain that her 14-year-old daughter was sent home on her first day on Tuesday because she was wearing the wrong type of black shoes.

The Warwick woman, who did not wish to be named, said she had hunted high and low for suitable, low-heeled shoes for her daughter in the weeks leading up to the start of term.

However, she said she was unable to find any suitable shoes in her size in any of the major stores, from Dockyard to St. George's, and so, in desperation, bought a pair of black Nike shoes - not sneakers.

"I bought them from Boyles' school shoes selection, but because they have a tiny Nike symbol on them my daughter was sent home," said the mother.

"I had to buy them at the eleventh hour because there was nothing else left in her size. My daughter does not like wearing heels, so it was important we got something low and I thought the ones we chose were fine.

"They cost me almost $80 and I certainly cannot afford to buy her another pair. I haven't even managed to buy her all of what she needs for school yet."

The mother said she had done everything possible to buy the correct shoes for her daughter, who is in her second year at the school.

She said the stores were full of brown shoes, but they deliberately stayed clear of them because of the strict dress code.

"My question is, how are we supposed to follow this dress code if there is not enough supply to meet demand on the Island," she added.

"My daughter was only supposed to be in school for half a day on Tuesday for orientation, but still she got sent home. I know a number of other children were also sent home.

"I have tried to call the school, but have had to leave a voicemail message. I guess if she does not have new shoes for Thursday when she has to return, she will be marked down as truant."

The mother said there were some stores with cheaper, "inferior" shoes, but past experience had taught her that they were not value for money and only lasted a couple of months.

She added: "I would not buy inferior shoes, again."

CedarBridge principal Kalmar Richards defended the school's hardline on uniform and said parents were informed in early July what the "specific" dress code would be, so parents would be left in no doubt.

She said: "We have set a uniform code and we expect our students to meet that code."

And she said whether there was enough shoes in the stores to go around was not a CedarBridge issue. "We want our children to come in looking good."

"I think we gave them ample notice, particularly those children who have already been in the school before and know the rules.

"Parents were informed there would be a rigorous uniform inspection when students arrived and I gave them the dates of that. Both parents and students need to meet the code otherwise there is no sense having it."

But Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith said he had received a number of calls from unhappy parents on Monday and Tuesday whose children had been sent home from their half-day orientations for similar reasons. "In each case, I was told about hoards of students who were sent home because they were improperly dressed."

"From my conversations with some parents, I certainly got the impression that certain students flagrantly abused the dress code.

"But, in a minority of cases, violations appeared minor and perhaps insignificant."

Mr. Smith said he applauded the school for setting high standards, but questioned whether sending children home on their first day, particularly orientation day, when they were only required for three hours, was an effective strategy for building school spirit.

He added: "If sending children home because they are not in uniform generates resentment and provokes parents, then it is reasonable to consider other sanctions first." he added.