A pupil has been forced to stay off school and told not to return until she wears proper shoes instead of canvas lace-ups.

It comes after Thomas Clarkson Academy, at Wisbech, clamped down on uniform.

Other girls were told their fabric ballet pump shoes were not good enough and were among 50 pupils sent into isolation for breaking the uniform rules for things like branded shoes or socks with small logos on.

Teachers said they warned pupils at the end of summer and at the beginning of the new school year that there was to be no bending of rules.

Tia Mason's mum, Tracey, of Wisbech St Mary, who is disabled, said: 'Tia wore canvas shoes all last year and was never told they were a problem.

'The uniform listed says black, flat-heeled and formal, with no brands like Vans or Converse. I thought the black canvas lace-up pumps fitted that.

'They are not branded. I cannot afford a new pair until my allowance comes through.'

But principal Clare Claxton said: 'If you let black canvas pumps creep in then other stuff creeps in and at the end of the day it's about learning and keeping standards up, not having to constantly check on uniform.'