When Shannon Connolly, 13, of Lumley Avenue, Skegness, started at St Clement's College, Skegness, last September, she was asked to remove her nose stud as it was against uniform policy.

Shannon's mother Madhu explained: "When you have your nose pierced, the stud goes through a nerve in your nose, which Hindus believe helps give children and makes childbirth easier."
She said Shannon's stud is smaller than traditional Indian studs.

Shannon did not wear it for the remainder of last year while her parents tried to get the policy amended.

Shannon said: "It's quite confusing really. I was told at home it is ok to wear it but when I get to school it's not ok."

The college's jewellery policy stated students could only wear a watch and earring studs, but no facial jewellery.

Her father Brendan says the school refused to allow Shannon to wear the stud even after its religious importance was explained, but the college has recently changed its decision.

When Shannon returned to school this year, she was not asked to remove it.

But while pleased she can wear the stud, her family is outraged she has been told to carry a permission card at school informing teachers she can wear it.

They say she will not carry it as Mr Connolly feels it would discriminate against her.

Mrs Mays said: "I cannot comment on individual students. The recommendation we have received is about the nose stud, but we are a school of over 1,000 children and you cannot recognise everyone.

"We do challenge pupils on jewellery."

Mrs Mays explained the policy will cover all religions and, once the policy is reviewed, other students can raise the issue.

* The college's governing body will meet later this month to review the uniform policy.

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