The Newshound

Philip Morant School in Colchester to review 'no touching' rule after pupil gets detention for a high-five

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Dan Jeffries, the interim principal of Frome Community College, whose hardline approach has seen at least 25 pupils suspended in his first week for offences including fidgeting, being a minute late, and glancing out a…
Dan Jeffries, the interim principal of Frome Community College, whose hardline approach has seen at least 25 pupils suspended in his first week for offences including fidgeting, being a minute late, and glancing out a…

Philip Morant School and College in Colchester has announced a review of its blanket 'non-contact' policy after parents branded it 'bonkers' and 'horrendous'. Introduced through a school assembly slide, the rule prohibits students from hugging, linking arms or high-fiving as they move around the 1,900-pupil site. A pupil received a detention after high-fiving a friend, and parents warn the ban is harming children's mental health and development. The school will reportedly revisit the policy following the angry parental backlash.

The guidance states 'no physical contact should take place between students' at any time on site, with violations punished by detention.

One parent said her daughter was thinking of withdrawing from the school entirely over the 'horrendous' policy, calling it 'insane'.

Meanwhile, a separate Somerset school sparked its own row after new headteacher Dan Jeffries suspended 25 pupils in a single week — including one girl for 'nervously laughing'.

MoreBBC News - EnglandSchool's no touching rule to be reviewedMetroParents label school a 'military base' after headteacher suspends 25 pupils in a weekThe TelegraphSchool punishes pupil after high-five breaks ‘non-contact’ rule
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