A pupil was edited out of a school year group photo for wearing the wrong tie

The case of Fynn Hulley, a 16-year-old boy who was edited out of a school year group photo for wearing a different colour tie, has sparked outrage and bewilderment. Fynn, a student at Budehaven Community School, decided to wear a purple tie to school instead of the school’s standard blue one. He thought he got away with it as nobody said anything about it, until the £22 photo arrived, with him edited out.

Fynn’s mother, Candi Hulley, expressed her shock and anger. “Fynn chose to wear a different tie, and we thought we were allowed to do that. It was just a purple tie,” she said. “Fynn is always trying new ties and waistcoats; he just likes to be unique and have fun.”

When the photo arrived, Candi noticed that Fynn was absent. When she contacted the school, they told her they had no idea about it. “The head of year didn’t know anything about it and said it might have been the photography company who made the decision,” said Candi. “But we contacted them and they said they wouldn’t do that.”

It was later revealed that the school had instructed all students to wear the correct uniform that day, and Fynn didn’t because he had chosen to wear a different tie. This revelation led to Fynn being edited out of the photo.

“Fynn and his friends are really upset that he isn’t in the photo,” said Candi. “The person who edited the photo just moved a boy from the bottom row into his place.”

Fynn’s older brother, who is also in the photo, is absent from all the others sent out. Fynn’s plans to study A levels at Budehaven’s sixth form have been thrown into doubt. “The school isn’t very close to us and he wants to stay local, but now he will have to travel an hour to the nearest college,” Candi said.

“We were given an original photo with Fynn in it, but he’s missing from all the other ones already sent out,” she added.

The head teacher, Dominic Wilkes, said that Fynn had chosen to change his tie deliberately prior to the photo being taken. In a letter to Candi, Wilkes said: “The photographer, who was at the other end of the sports hall, didn’t notice this had happened and only when staff were alerted by other pupils did we realise it.”

The school is now looking into how to handle this matter and the school’s uniform policy, as Candi had expressed concerns about the lack of communication and openness in the situation.

In response to the backlash, the school said: “We’re sorry for any upset caused. We understand that there may be different interpretations of the uniform policy, and we will continue to work with students and parents to ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment.”