A mother is demanding answers after a teacher allegedly cut part of her daughter's school shoes with scissors... while she was wearing them.

Claire Pamment said she is shocked and furious following the incident with the female staff member at the North School, in Essella Road, Ashford.

She claims a teacher took a pair of scissors to her daughter Olivia Adams's black Kickers - because the coloured tab on the shoes did not fit with the school's uniform policy.

It comes after the school was involved in another row in September when up to 60 pupils were said to have been sent home for wearing the incorrect uniform.

The single mother-of-three said: "I'm fuming. My blood is actually boiling. They cut the tabs off of my daughter's shoes while they were still on her feet.

"I just can't believe it. They can't go around doing things like this. Who does this teacher think she is?

"This is not only criminal damage to my daughter's shoes, but it is assault because they shouldn't be touching her. They really are pushing the rules here."

The incident took place at around 10.15am on Thursday when a teacher is said to have knelt down to look at Olivia's shoes to check if they were within the school's guidelines.

Miss Pamment said she heard of the snipping when she received a text from Year 9 student Olivia that morning.

She responded by immediately calling the school and asking to speak to the teacher involved.

Miss Pamment added: "I spoke to the teacher, who claims she was acting on the head's authority.

"But when I spoke to the head she said it had all been a mistake and that they will reimburse me.

"The school then wanted to send Olivia home until the issue was resolved - but I don't want her missing any more lessons because she nearly missed two weeks worth of school in September when she was put in isolation."

The damaged Kickers shoes are plain black patent, with the brand's trademark green and red tabs on the side, and cost £55.

They are the second pair of Kickers that Olivia has had this school year as Miss Pamment said the first pair, which were black with pink stitching, were banned by the school in September.

Miss Pamment, from Willesborough, said: "Olivia was told off at the beginning of term for wearing the Kickers with pink stitching.

"I refused to buy another pair, but Mrs Ellis said she would put some money towards them and we thought that was fair enough.

"But what really gets me is that she actually part paid, £20, for the very shoes that they're claiming are unsuitable.

"Also, Olivia has been wearing them for around six weeks without there being an issue. Why are they making a problem of it now?

"I don't see the problem with the shoes - not only are they fashionable, but they are comfortable, practical and waterproof."

Miss Pamment is further frustrated over the fact she says she spoke to the teacher, who allegedly cut the shoes early on Thursday morning to discuss Olivia's school skirt.

She added: "I had a call to say Olivia's skirt was not correct uniform and I said I'll replace it when she out grows it.

"But the school said they had one in stock and I could pay at a later date. And that was that. They didn't even mention her shoes. Why didn't they discuss it with me then?"

Now the frustrated mother, who is waiting to hear back from the school about if they will replace the shoes, has alerted the police to the incident.

"I realise it isn't the crime of the century, but imagine if it wasn't a teacher who did this," Miss Pamment said. "If this was someone in the street then it would be a completely different matter."

This is not the first time the North School has been involved in a dispute over uniform.

In September, it was claimed up to 60 students were sent home for wearing the incorrect school uniform.

The stricter new policy was introduced at the beginning of the school year for students in Years 7-11 and included a new compulsory trouser and skirt with the school's logo as well as wearing the school's sweatshirt and polo shirt - which also both include the school's logo.

Parents said the new uniform was expensive and uncomfortable for the students.

However, at the time head teacher Lesley Ellis defended sending pupils home, claiming the new uniform was brought in to make things easier for parents.

A Kent County Council spokesman said the school did not wish to comment.

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