When a school banned students to carry bag between classes, a teen turned up with a microwave to carry his books.
Spalding Grammar School told sixth formers that they can’t take their bags to lessons because it can injure younger pupils. The students were told to carry their books in hand while moving between classes.
An official notice said, “Injury was being caused to younger students as a result of sixth formers carrying ever-larger bags on their shoulders.”
According to the school’s new policy, students can use bags to bring their books to school, but while in school, they must not carry bags with them.
The weird policy saw students transfer books from their regular bags into plastic carrier bags multiple times within a day.
Following the ban, many students, as well as their parents, protested to the school officials and called the rule to be absurd. An online petition was also started which gained more than 450 signatures.
One smart student, Jacob Ford, however, devised a perfect way to protest the ridiculous ban – by using microwave as a substitute of bag.
But when Ford turned up to school with his books in a microwave, the school authorities suspended him for 2 days.
The 17-year-old A-level student also put a strong argument in a lengthy document titled “Bags in Sixth Form – My Thoughts and A Potential Solution” which he handed over to the members of staff including headteacher Steven Wilkinson.
Jacob wrote in the document: “The reasons for them changing is for one reason and one reason only which has been hammered into all of our brains over the course of the several assemblies that we’ve had.
“Health and safety. Or more specifically, the year sevens and one member of staff. These people have been struck in the face or knocked backwards by our bags swinging around in the corridor.
“Once again, I do not doubt this ever happening. But is the best solution really to outright ban backpacks? Surely a compromise can be made.”
Jacob says the new policy forces pupils to shell out cash and risk their health.
He said: “With most issues money is going to be involved, this case being no exception to that rule. I believe that paying for a new bag which fits the school’s updated regulations is outrageous.
“Especially this close to the start of the academic year, when many students have recently paid for new rucksacks, not knowing of the rule changes.
“These bags are effectively part our school uniform and should be purchased once a year at a maximum. So me or my parents having to fork out around £40 for a new bag which fits with the school’s policies is outrageous.”
Jacob’s mother, who was all supportive of him, said: “At the end of the day, I believe in freedom of speech and so I’m very proud of him for standing up for something he believes in. Microwave or no microwave.”
The school officials have declined to comment on the incident or provide details about their bag policy.