Police called over face mask row at Dilkes Academy

Officers attended Dilkes Academy, Garron Lane, South Ockendon after the parent refused to wear a mask to collect their child last week.

The school also claimed the parent threatened to force entry to the school grounds if the school insisted on mask wearing measures.

Rumours circulated on social media that a child was refused entry to the school, but school leaders insisted this was not the case.

Police and school bosses have insisted that most parents are following the latest Covid-19 rules to ensure a safe school environment.

A spokesman for the academy said: “The police were in attendance at Dilkes Academy as a parent had threatened to access school grounds without permission if they insisted on enforcing the wearing of face coverings on school premises.

“The parent concerned refused to take up the alternative arrangements that had been put into place for drop off and collection.

“The police officers wanted to speak to the parent concerned about his conduct, which resulted in the scene at the school gate.

“All parents were given a weeks’ notice about the Covid measures that were being put into place at every Trust school from Tuesday November 3.

“Parents who were unable to comply for whatever reason were given alternative drop off and collection arrangements so that their child could access and attend school as normal. The overwhelming majority of parents and carers were incredibly supportive and complied with the measures that we put into place to protect pupils, staff and the wider school community.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Community policing officers from Thurrock attended Dilkes Academy on the morning of Tuesday November 3, at a request from the school to prevent a possible breach of the peace they were concerned could happen. Following a disagreement between teachers at the school and a parent, that parent decided their child would not attend school that day. Police officers would never prevent a child attending school.”