AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl has been told she should dye the trainers she is medically required to wear to comply with a school uniform policy

AN 11-YEAR-OLD girl has been told she should dye the trainers she is medically required to wear to comply with a school uniform policy.Codie Devonshire's parents were told if they dyed their daughter's coloured trainers completely black it would help her fit in with her new classmates when she starts at Churchill Community School in September.Dad Martyn says he was originally told his daughter, who suffers from a condition called flexible flat feet hallux valgus, must wear black shoes to school under uniform rules, and is outraged at the suggestion she should have to dye them to fit in.Mr Devonshire, of Southside, Congresbury, said: "It has taken six years to get Codie's feet sorted and now she is being penalised as a disabled child because she has to wear a certain type of trainer."There is plenty of medical evidence and we have been recommended this type of trainer to suit Codie's condition."To be told she should dye them is outrageous, I cannot believe the school would say that."The school says it would prefer her to comply with uniform regulations but says if there is a medical reason why she must wear the trainers then it is perfectly happy for her to do so.A spokesman said: "When a child comes to Churchill we try to integrate them in the best way possible."Anything significantly different makes them stand out, which is not to their best advantage. We have not objected to her wearing the trainers if she has to."If there is a medical reason we cannot make her wear a normal shoe. We suggested the trainers should be black or dyed black if possible.