Protesters against Churchill School Uniform rules.
Headteacher backs down over uniform row
Friday, July 13, 2012
7:00 AM
A HEADTEACHER has reversed his decision to allow only John Lewis uniforms at his school after the move was branded ‘outrageous’ by mums and dads.
Churchill Academy was set to introduce tough new rules on pupils’ dress, favouring the high-end national retailer over local shops Deanes and Sons in Cheddar and Browns of Weston, which have been supplying uniforms for years.
School leaders say they want to improve the quality and appearance of Churchill’s uniform, and initially told parents that only John Lewis attire - at around £55 for boys and £66 for girls, if parents choose a skirt - would be accepted.
A letter to parents last week said the aim was to ‘avoid the trap’ of students interpreting uniform rules differently, and to prevent ‘tension and misunderstanding’ arising from ‘unacceptable’ outfits.
But mums and dads responded by setting up a Facebook protest against the decision, as well as an online petition, which had nearly 200 signatures on it as the Mercury went to press yesterday (Wed).
They claimed the cost of John Lewis uniforms is ‘outrageous’.
Mother-of-three Linda Seabright, who has one child in year seven and another set to start in September, said the new policy could have seen children from poorer families being punished for their parents’ financial situation.
The Weston College student, who lives in Coronation Road, Banwell, said about John Lewis: “Sizes are an issue. They do not supply very small sizes or anything over a 34in waist.
“Ill-fitting uniforms will affect the children’s self-esteem.
“If families cannot afford to purchase uniform from John Lewis and get it from elsewhere, it will lead to other children being aware of their family’s financial situation and may lead to bullying.”
In response to news of the page and petition, Churchill headteacher Dr Barry Wratten branded social networking ‘simplistic, instantaneous, often lacking in thought or consideration’ and said it is something he does not ‘particularly value’.
He also told the Mercury that, as a historian, he is ‘sceptical’ about petitions but would ‘accede’ to parents’ concerns over availability of the uniform - though he insisted standards must be maintained and girls in years nine and above will still be banned from wearing skirts.
Dr Wratten said: “Of course children grow. Children and their parents replenish their wardrobes of designer clothes pretty regularly, paying quite a lot for their leisure clothes.
“We wish them to value their uniform at school also. In the past some children have not appeared to buy new uniform very regularly. At times it appears worn to a frazzle and this is our challenge.”
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8 comments
Shirt and tie with a blazer...very smart and practical for everyone. Only little children wear sweatshirts at school.
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T-Bone
Sunday, July 15, 2012
When I was at senior school-many years ago,all parents were given a clothing list and they HAD to purchase it from specific shops-no choice. Everyone looked smart and we all looked the same. We had no choice in the matter.It was Walker and Lings and another shop in town. No it wasn't a private school,it was Uphill Secondary-which became Broadoak in our 5th year. There were many parents who struggled to buy the uniform,some probably got help,but they all complied and nobody complained. I can't see what all the fuss is about. The head at Churchill should be applauded in trying to raise standards of dress...
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hills
Friday, July 13, 2012
My opinion is that the type of uniform doesn't change the pupils, but all of the people I've asked said they didn't want to wear it... and no one said they wanted it. I think the comments that have been put so far are a bit far fetched and biased as they're only proving themselves right. "Sweatshirt uniforms are open to abuse..." Correct, you are giving the abuse by saying that the pupils look like infants. I don't think that blazers would improve anything; students would just complain and eventually would be taken out of the dress code.
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Hobnob100
Friday, July 13, 2012
uniforms do not improve the behaviour of students which is why hans price students are banned from the local shops around that area NO school should dictate were a uniform can be brought its down to the parents
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gruf69
Friday, July 13, 2012
They should ALL wear blazers and tie uniforns,like Broadoak and Hans Price. Sweatshirts are for juniors and infants. Broadoak children look smartest in town and it improves the behaviour of students. Sweatshirt uniforms are open to abuse...
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hills
Friday, July 13, 2012
They should ALL wear blazers and tie uniforns,like Broadoak and Hans Price. Sweatshirts are for juniors and infants. Broadoak children look smartest in town and it improves the behaviour of students. Sweatshirt uniforms are open to abuse...
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hills
Friday, July 13, 2012
And he believes the best way to get parents to upgrade their uniforms is to make them pay £60? You don't improve the standard of uniform by placing it outside of the reach of those that are going to wear it.
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Maxwell
Friday, July 13, 2012
I am a great believer in school uniforms and children looking smart but some of Dr Wratten's opinions seem more in line with a Public School than a former Comprehensive taking on Academy status.John Lewis at Cribbs Causeway would have been very difficult to reach for a number of parents.I suggest that the school finds good quality uniform items which can be bought through the school, at a discounted price due to a bulk order.
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Teddy
Friday, July 13, 2012