Girl, 12, reacts after school punishes her for wearing Union Jack dress to 'Culture Day'

The school has since apologised for the incident, which she told Martin Daubney left her feeling "embarrassed."

“I’m really thankful for all the support people have been giving me and it’s made me realise even more that what the school did was wrong”, she said.

“Me not being allowed to read my speech really upset me and embarrassed me. I prepared it and I really wanted to share it with my school.”

Her father, Stuart Field, said: “I’ve received messages from people over the last three days sharing their experiences. It’s been a significant number with similar experiences, whether it be taking a flag down or culture days at school.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• ‘We’re getting nowhere’: GB News star shuts off interview as guest ‘turns nasty’ during tense row
• Sharron Davies blasts ‘atrocious’ message to girls as she threatens sport bosses with legal action
• Schoolgirl PUNISHED for wearing Union Jack dress to celebrate British heritage on school culture day

“They say it’s not for British kids. It seems to have shook the hornet’s nest. People have messaged from all around the world. Japan, Australia and Canada.

“We’ve had people from Italy offering gifts for Courtney. It goes to say a lot when people from all four corners of the world are looking at the United Kingdom thinking something is going wrong, when children can’t celebrate their heritage.”

GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope raised the story with the Prime Minister’s Office, who delivered a statement.

“The school has now put out an apology. The Prime Minister believes that being British is something to be celebrated”, it read.

“We are a tolerant, diverse country. Being British is something to be celebrated.”

Asked how it feels to have Keir Starmer taking notice of her story, Wright responded: “It definitely makes me feel very grateful. It’s crazy.

“I didn’t think anybody would hear it, but to see it go that far makes me very happy.”

Asked if the experience has made her feel “even more proud” to be British, she said: “Definitely.

“Especially knowing that all these British people and all these people from around the world are saying ‘British culture is important’.”

Field continued by highlighting wider issues in schools, saying teachers are “throwing agendas” at their pupils.

“Where is this coming from? What’s the purpose?”, he asked.

“Children are the future of our country and if we are denying them the right to be proud, where does this leave us in 20-30 years time?”

He continued: “Where did we come from since 1946? You used to see buntings and Union Jacks everywhere.

“For some reason now, it’s looked down upon and vilified. People don’t want to see the Union Jack. This is a 12-year-old’s interpretation of what British culture means, my idea is different and I’m sure if I asked a 90-year-old gentleman what their view is, it would be completely different.

“This is a 12-year-old’s interpretation of what British culture means to her, it should be respected.

“It should be promoted and encouraged. If this is what is happening in schools, governors need to be looking into schools.”

Stowe Valley Trust, which runs the secondary school, said in a statement: “We are committed to fostering an environment where every pupil feels respected, valued and included.

“We have since spoken directly with the pupil and her family to listen to their concerns and reflect on how this could have been handled better.

“We are committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that every student feels recognised and supported when expressing pride in their heritage.”