Pupil handed detention after ‘high-fiving’ pal at ‘non-contact’ school – as parents blast ‘horrendous & bonkers’ rules

PARENTS have blasted a school’s “non-contact” policy between pupils – after one boy was given detention for high-fiving a friend. Philip Morant School and College in Colchester implemented the “horrendous” hardline policy to ensure “everyone feels safe and comfortable on the school site”. Philip Morant School in Colchester implemented the policy “to ensure pupils feel safe” Credit: Google maps Philip Morant headteacher Stephanie Neill introduced the ‘no-contact’ policy ‘following an increase in overly physical behaviour’ Credit: Unknown But furious parents are demanding the 1900-pupil Essex school rethinks the “bonkers” guidance and are threatening to move their kids, arguing it’s “detrimental to their mental health and development.” One mum said school bosses have “lost their minds” after claiming her son was put in detention for high-fiving a pal. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The guidance, which was announced in a slide during school assembly this week, says: “No running/ball games/physical behaviour on the fields at social times (the astro is open for football). “Where physical contact is required in lessons it will be directed by the teacher (e.g. in PE, drama, other lesson-based activities). “When you need to support someone who is injured or unwell then physical contact is of course permitted.” It goes on to state that teachers witnessing “these expectations not being followed” can dish out a “C3”, which is a detention. One parent at the school raged on social media: “My son goes to Philip Morant, he came home the other day and said I have detention for high five with his friend. “Men meet with a hand shake and women generally hug, this is absolutely absurd and my son will not be going to the detention.” Most read in The Sun Another parent added: “Children need to know the difference between appropriate and inappropriate contact. Linking arms, high fives and hugs are part of normal human behaviour, it sounds like Philip Morant have totally lost the plot.” Parents said they didn’t know how the new rules would affect their children playing contact sports, or pupils with hearing impairments. One even said she’d removed her son from the school, adding: “Let kids be kids, rather than suck the personality out of them, literally want them to act like robots, since moving schools, my son is so much happier and teachers are so much more down to earth.” The controversial policy comes after another school angered parents this week with its “overly strict” rules. Fuming parents at Frome Community College in Somerset said the school was “like a military base” after a crackdown by the new headteacher. Dan Jeffries, interim principal at the school, reportedly suspended 25 pupils for minor offences such as zipping up a bag “too loudly” and “staring out of a classroom window.” Stephanie Neill, headteacher at Philip Morant School and College, said: “Following an increase in overly physical behaviour last term that disrupted learning and raised safety concerns, we set a clear expectation of no physical contact to maintain a calm and welcoming environment. “Students have responded brilliantly to this, resulting in a noticeable improvement in site safety and school atmosphere with very few reminders or sanctions needed. “But we do understand pupils want positive ways to greet and engage with their friends. We are currently working with our student leaders to define appropriate, consensual guidelines that reflect a focused learning environment and student wellbeing.” The Sun has contacted Philip Morant School and College for further comment. Comment now