A 14-year-old girl has been off school for more than a year - because she has her tongue pierced

Stephanie Piscina has not attended Notley High School in Braintree since January last year.

Stephanie, of Manor Street, Braintree, had her tongue pierced in summer 2000 and the silver stud went unnoticed until October that year, when a pupil told the headteacher.

Tongue-pierced torment - Stephanie Piscina and mum Sandra

Mum Sandra Piscina said: "She got a lot of stick for her size and to boost her confidence she thought she'd have it done and I didn't see anything wrong with it.

"The tongue piercing made her feel better and when the school asked her to remove it, she told them she wouldn't have it out."

Stephanie, who should now be in year ten, was told by the school the jewellery was unacceptable and that she would have to be taught separately from the other pupils outside the classroom, which she did for a few months.

But the youngster felt "unwanted" so has not been back at school since January 2001.

Notley High headteacher John Hartley will allow her back but only if she removes the jewellery from her tongue.

County Education spokesman Mike Barnett said: "It is a sad case and we hope it will be resolved soon."

He added: "We are concerned in this case because of Stephanie's extended absence."

Mrs Piscina said Stephanie is now being treated for depression by her doctor because she wants to return to school but still refuses to remove the piercing.

For the last year her mum has been teaching her at home but she admits it is not the same as school education and that her daughter needs to go back to school.

Education welfare officers at the county council sent Mrs Piscina and her husband John, 42, a letter on January 11 giving them three weeks to find Stephanie a school before they take further action.

She is now in the process of filling out an enrolment form for Alec Hunter, despite being refused previously.

Published Thursday, February 21, 2002