A terminally ill schoolgirl suffering from alopecia was told to take off her pink wig in class – because it wasn’t cold enough.

Ashanti Elliot Smith, 11, from Burgess Hill, suffers from Hutchinson Gilford Progeria, a rare ageing disease that means she may not live past the age of 15.

As revealed by The Argus yesterday, Ashanti was forced by a teacher to remove the wig she wore to school.

Colin Taylor, the head teacher of Oakmeeds Community College, said it was the first time she had appeared in school wearing any form of head wear.

He said: “In the past other children have worn wigs following serious illness, but ones that were of a natural look – not large brightly coloured ones.

“Her learning mentor spoke to the head of year about it.

“It was agreed by the director of inclusion and head of year that Ashanti would wear the wig home but not in lessons because it was not cold in the school and she had never wanted to wear one before.

“At no time to our knowledge did she request special consideration about head wear but we would fully understand if Ashanti was to need a hat or indeed a wig when the weather gets cold – even indoors.”

Ashanti’s mother, Phoebe Smith, 29, took a dim view of the response.

She said: “There is no excuse to tell a child with no hair to take [her wig] off.

“It’s not because she decided it was cold that she wore it. It’s because she wanted to have hair on that day.

“It’s not head-wear, it’s my baby’s hair for the day.

“You’ve got all these girls with their hair done nicely and she wanted to be all girly and have the same opportunity.”

Mr Taylor said: “We have worked closely with Ashanti’s mother to ensure her daughter is treated like all other pupils.

“Ashanti is a pleasure to have in the school and we believe we have done everything we can to meet both her needs and her mother’s requirements.

“We are more than happy to discuss this with them when college resumes after the half term break.”

The school said it could not make contact with Ashanti's mother after the wig incident on Thursday, October 23, as reported in The Argus yesterday.

KIND DONATIONS

READERS of The Argus were so moved by the story of Ashanti that our office received numerous calls from people wanting to help.

As the first donations come in, we plan to buy Ashanti the wig she deserves, made from human hair.

Those interested in donating should call Adrian Imms on 01273 544518 or email adrian.imms@theargus.co.uk