Overview

• Kirk Balk Academy in Barnsley suspended 13-year-old Izobella Dawson for two days twice after she declined to remove clear plastic retainers or go to isolation.
• The school's policy states that jewellery is not permitted, with only a wrist watch allowed and smart watches prohibited.
• Her mother says Izobella wore the retainers for about two years without challenge and claims more than 90 students were recently isolated or suspended for similar breaches.
• Izobella was allowed back into lessons only after taking the retainers out, and her mother has lodged a formal complaint seeking a response within 10 days.
• Northern Education Trust says students are asked to remove such items and that sanctions result from refusal, citing Ofsted’s June 2025 finding that the school uses suspensions appropriately.