Devon pupils 'removed' from lessons for wearing wellies

A rural school in Devon has been criticised after a number of students were said to have been sent out of lessons for wearing wellies to support a farmers protest taking place in London over changes to inheritance tax.

It is claimed by a parent and pupils at The King's School in Ottery St Mary that those who arrived not wearing their usual school shoes were removed from their classes.

Headteacher Rob Gammon has confirmed no pupils were put into what is called internal exclusion at school, but did not provide any further details. A parent of a Year 7 pupil has told how their child went to school in wellies and was put in student support - a place where students can go if they encounter a problem or need extra support - until she was able to take a pair of school shoes to the school for them to change into.

The concerned parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "There were seven pupils at The King's School who wore welly boots to school this morning to show their support to British farmers. They were sent to student support and told that they were expected to work from there unless they changed into their school shoes.

"Everyone was able to get school shoes. They'd either taken them with them, or a parent dropped them into school, and then they returned to lessons.

"The school did make it clear that they didn't support this, but we still feel that it is very disappointing. The head of the school said it was because they didn't support political issues being protested.

"However, the students, who are predominantly from farming families, feel it goes beyond the current inheritance tax issues and is about the bigger picture of protecting the future of British farming. As a parent, I feel that while the school may not want to be seen to 'support' things, they should not punish the children for standing up and supporting farmers, especially in such a rural community."

Earlier this week, the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs called upon its members to wear their wellies to work and school today in support of British farmers and others way they could help. The Facebook post said: "Speak to your school/ college/ workplace to ask if they can encourage people to wear their boots on November 19. There is a story in the press at the moment about a 15 year old from County Durham who has organised for this to happen at their school.

Kadence Hulbert, a 15-year-old member of Honiton Young Farmers, is a prefect in Year 11 at The King's School. She was among those who were taken out of lessons today for wearing wellies.

She said: "I am an active member of Honiton Young Farmers Club and feel that farmers do not get the support and recognition that we deserve. I saw today as an opportunity to stand united to support British Farmers as this is our future we are talking about.

"I don't see how wearing wellies to school was affecting mine, or anyone else's education and I find it very disappointing that a school in a rural area isn't willing to allow us to show our support."

Her 12-year-old brother Maverick, a Year 7 pupil, added: "My grandparents farm and I want to farm in the future. I wanted to show support to all farming families and can't believe the school didn't let us."

The King's School has not confirmed to DevonLive the stance it took regarding pupils wanting to take part in the protest.

Mr Gammon said: "We do not discuss disciplinary matters relating to individual students however I can confirm that no student was placed in internal exclusion today for wearing welly boots."

Other schools in Devon were more supportive of today's protest. Burlescombe Church of England Primary School in Tiverton actively encouraged pupils to attend school wearing wellies.

On a post on its Facebook page it stated: "No farmers, no food. This is a show of solidarity. Take part at your own discretion."

Thousands of people descended upon London today to march to Whitehall, including Jeremy Clarkson, who said "it's the end" for farmers, as he called for the government to change its mind. From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m, which were previously exempt, will be liable to inheritence tax at 20 per cent, half the usual rate.

Other allowances could mean a married couple or those in a civil partnership could pass on a farm worth as much as £3m without paying inheritance tax. The number of farms that could be affected by the inheritance tax change is disputed.

The government says it will only affect the wealthiest 500 estates each year but the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) have estimated up to 70,000 farms could be affected.