Birmingham pupils banned from Asda as school warns 'at risk of civil law action'

A Birmingham school has spoken out after warning parents that pupils had been banned from entering a nearby Asda with "immediate effect." Children from Ark Victoria secondary school in Small Heath are understood to have been banned from entering the Asda superstore while they are wearing their school uniform.

If pupils do wish to enter the Coventry Road supermarket, they need to enter with a parent or carer. This decision was made by Asda after a "series of small incidents within the supermarket", the school said.

Ark Victoria principal, Ela McSorley, told BirminghamLive that the school are working hard to find a resolution with Asda and that they are a "proud member" of the Small Heath community. The announcement from school leaders, seen by BirminghamLive, was sent to parents and carers on Thursday November 14.

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BirminghamLive contacted Asda for a comment on Friday afternoon. The announcement regarding access to Asda said the following: "Dear Parents/Carers. I wish to share an important community update with you.

"As a community school we work closely with local businesses, shops and public services to ensure we are all working together to support the area as best we can.

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"Unfortunately, following a recent series of small incidents within Asda supermarket on the Coventry Road, the store has taken the decision that with immediate effect no student in Ark Victoria uniform will be allowed on to their premises unless accompanied by a parent or carer.

"We have always worked closely with the store to ensure that students are representing our school in an expected manner and are disappointed that a minority of students have failed to respect this, which will impact on our entire school community.

"Asda have the right to choose who they serve at their discretion. Any student not following this guidance is placing themselves and their family at risk of civil law action from the shop. A reminder that while students are wearing Ark Victoria uniform they are ambassadors for the school.

"This message will be reiterated to all year groups in assemblies across next week and we thank you for your support in this matter."

Principal, Ela McSorley told BirminghamLive on Friday November 15: “We are very proud to be part of the Small Heath community and work hard on building community links. We have reached out to Asda to meet to try and resolve this issue.”

The Small Heath school is home to nursery, primary and secondary sites with nearly 1,600 pupils in total. The Ofsted Good-rated academy sits in the ten worst neighbourhoods for child poverty in Birmingham. You can read more about the school, here.