School Withdraws Lanyard Policy for Students with Disabilities

A school policy, described as “humiliating,” which mandated students to continuously display lanyards indicating their learning disabilities, has been withdrawn following objections from parents. Students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at Werneth School, located in Stockport, Greater Manchester, were previously informed that failure to carry or wear the distinctive sunflower lanyards would result in disciplinary measures. Parents have since been notified that this regulation, which provoked considerable controversy upon its implementation last week after the half-term break, has been abolished. The trust overseeing the school confirmed that “lanyards will no longer be used” following the conclusion of an urgent investigation. According to a spokesperson, trust personnel visited the school to examine the policy prior to making this determination. The spokesperson further stated, “The school priority to improve its SEND provision remains focused on ensuring an inclusive culture where every pupil is able to achieve.” Leigh, the mother of a 12-year-old neurodivergent girl who reported feeling “embarrassed” by the requirement to present the lanyard upon request, expressed approval of the policy reversal. She is a member of the Brinnington SEND parent group, which actively campaigned to revoke the lanyard mandate. Leigh commented, “We’re very grateful that the trust have revoked the lanyard policy that should never have been implemented.” She added, “Well done to students to handling the awful situation they were put in.” For further content, BBC Radio Manchester is available on Sounds, and updates from BBC Manchester can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story suggestions may be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk or via Whatsapp at 0808 100 2230. This material is copyrighted by BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC does not assume responsibility for the content of external websites and details its policy on external linking.