Trainee teacher sent home from Catholic school because of 'inappropriate' tattoos

Fuming Charlotte Tumilty, 26, thinks her teaching chances have been harmed following the row over her tattoos.

A trainee teacher was sent home from a "strict" Catholic school because of a tattoo on her neck.

Furious Charlotte Tumilty, 26, had been interviewed before she was offered a role at St John Vianneys Primary School in Hartlepool, but was turned away within minutes of walking through the door.

She was told her tattoos were a problem because the school is "strict Catholic", and they did not project a "professional image".

Charlotte, who also has purple hair, said: ''They showed me to the class I was working in.

"A woman asked to speak to me in the office and said 'what we need to discuss is you can still see a bit of your neck tattoo peeping out of your top?'

''I suggested wearing a higher-necked top. The woman said 'that's not the point, it's a strictly Catholic school and tattoos are forbidden'."

"She said they do have teachers with tattoos, but they cover them up.

"I said 'yes, I have covered mine up', but the woman said 'to be honest, I don't think it's appropriate'.

''She then suggested I might be able to uses plasters and bandages to cover them up.

"But I'd look ridiculous."

Charlotte - who also has tattoos on her feet, hands and neck - is angry she was sent home and believes it may have harmed her chances of becoming a teacher.

She said: ''It ticks me off. They said I could maybe start later but I don't think it's going to get anywhere because you can still see bits of my tattoos.

"They are prejudiced against me because they could see a few tattoos.''

Charlotte, who lives in Hartlepool, is on a level two teacher training course at the town's College of Further Education.

She was due to undertake the teaching assistant placement twice a week for a year.

But her plans have been shattered as she says there are no other school placements available.

She admits her look is 'alternative'. She also has full 'sleeves' of tattoos on her arms and legs, and small ones on her back and chest.

When mum-of-two Charlotte went for an interview at the school to secure her placement, staff could see her appearance.

She promised to remove all her piercings and was told that would be "perfect".          

It took a while for the school to confirm the placement and other students on her course had already started theirs when she rang to inquire about starting training

She went to the school on Monday, and spent around £25 on a new outfit, ensuring her arms were covered.

But after barely an hour she was sent home.

Deputy head teacher Martin Boagey said the school expected all members of staff to project a rofessional image.

He added: "We have a code of conduct, part of which requires members of staff with tattoos to cover them up.

"We do have members of staff with tattoos, and they are happy to abide by the code of conduct.

''On her arrival at school to take up her placement, Charlotte Tumilty was informed of the school's code of conduct.

''She was politely asked to consider how best to cover up her tattoos and it was suggested that she should.

''At no point was she ever told that she could not work here.

"The school regularly offers placements to students to help them develop their careers, and to date dozens have been welcomed and supported.''