An Ipswich family says a school acted with a ‘lack of compassion’ when it split up two sisters minutes after learning their mother had suffered a miscarriage.

Ipswich Star: Left to right, Theresa Watson, Gareth Reynolds, Becky Watson and Faye Watson. Picture: GREGG BROWNLeft to right, Theresa Watson, Gareth Reynolds, Becky Watson and Faye Watson. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Gareth Reynolds and partner Rebecca Watson, of Wherstead Road, have made a formal complaint to the board of governors at Chantry Academy in Ipswich after Faye and Theresa Watson, 12 and 14, were ‘not allowed to hug’ after they received the devastating news.

At around 5.30am on Wednesday, May 16, Ms Watson was rushed to Ipswich Hospital after she started suffering pains and cramps in her abdomen 34 weeks into her pregnancy.

Ms Watson and Mr Reynolds initially thought she was going into labour prematurely – the two sisters went off to school thinking they would soon meet their baby brother.

But sadly Ms Watson suffered a miscarriage and the couple realised they would have to break the terrible news to the sisters.

Ipswich Star: Left to right, Theresa Watson, Gareth Reynolds, Becky Watson and Faye Watson. Picture: GREGG BROWNLeft to right, Theresa Watson, Gareth Reynolds, Becky Watson and Faye Watson. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Mr Reynolds said: “I had contacted the school during the morning to let staff know what had happened.

“They asked if they should tell the girls but I said no.

“But Faye kept calling so I had to break the news that her baby brother had died.

“My step father went to reception to collect her and her older sister who is 14.

“But rather than letting two sisters who are grieving stay together, staff at the school separated them.

“They just wanted to hug and be together

“At that time they needed each other for comfort, they were quite upset when they were apart.

“It was a total lack of compassion and respect.

“It has really hit them quite hard.

“We have sent a letter of complaint to the school and will see what their response is.

“If they can do this to Faye and Theresa, they could do it to another family.

“We just don’t want this to happen to anybody else.”

Craig D’Cunha, principal of Chantry Academy, said: “We can confirm that a complaint has been lodged by the family of two sisters at Chantry Academy.

“We are investigating this in line with our stringent safeguarding procedures and are unable to make any further comment until this process is complete.”