School criticised for uniform policy change - three weeks before end of term
A SCHOOL has been criticised by parents who claim it has changed its uniform policy just three weeks before the end of the academic year.
Pupils at Backwell School have been told that Miss Sexy-branded trousers and tube skirts are banned.
Parents have also reported that teachers have been using a marked ruler to measure the gap between girls' knees and their hemlines, to ensure skirts are not too short.
They say girls have been told to ensure their skirts end no more than three inches above the knee. Parents say they cannot be expected be buy replacement clothing for their children with fewer than 20 days of the summer term remaining.
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They have also complained that they were not sent a letter warning them of any tightening of uniform rules.
The school insists it has not changed its policy and is merely reminding pupils of the rules to ensure they are stuck to next year.
One parent, who asked not to be named, said: "It beggars belief that this school is changing its uniform policy less than three weeks before the end of the academic year.
"Do those behind this live in the real world? Do they really think any parent is going to rush out and buy new skirts or trousers for less than 20 days' wear, knowing that by September they will probably be too small?
"The fair way to do this would be to write to parents and tell them there will be a change in uniform policy from the start of the next academic year. That would at least give parents notice.
"As for going around classrooms measuring skirt lengths with a ruler - there really is something archaic and distasteful about that.
"They are only doing this because they can. You really would hope the staff at Backwell would have more productive things to do with their time."
Emma Yates, deputy head teacher at the school, said the policy was not new and that staff were only reinforcing guidance laid out in the school handbook to ensure all students could abide by the rules in time for the next school year in September.
She said the school had taken action over uniform because several students had recently arrived wearing skirts and trousers which were deemed inappropriate.
Miss Yates said tube skirts and jeans-style trousers had never been part of the school uniform, and said she was not aware of skirts being measured with a ruler.
She said: "We have never banned specific makes of skirts or trousers, but have been specific about what we deem to be inappropriate styles."
Of skirts being measured, she said: "We are not aware of this specific incident. However, if this did occur then it would have been done to ensure that students are fully aware of what is an appropriate length for a school skirt.
"Following our guidance to parents in the school handbook, we are currently reinforcing our expectations so that all of our students can be in full school uniform by September.
"As a result, parents are being advised that trousers and skirts should be tailored so that all students can take pride in their personal appearance.
"We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from parents, who are grateful to us for removing the pressure that their children can feel to conform to fashion trends in school.
"Backwell School uniform is designed to be smart, practical, comfortable and affordable. However, over recent months, as fashions have changed, we have had to have conversations with students about skirts and trousers that we deem inappropriate for a school environment. These conversations take valuable time away from what matters most – learning."
Comments
by emmaewarren
Friday, January 18 2013, 8:47AM
“Considering I was at backwell school when this was happening, this article is a bit of a joke, this has been happening for over two years (I don't mind now that I am a sixth former) but it was getting ridiculous. A friend of mine was told off for wearing a tube skirt to high up the legs, okay, fair enough, they told her to get a certain skirt, which again she did, and again was told off despite it being the correct size for her (my friend being quite tall and thin). It didn't help that things like boots were banned despite teachers being allowed to wear them... The only time we were told we could change it was through school council meetings - every single time it was brought up and virtually every time it got stricter! No we were not happy miss Yates!”
by Batdad
Friday, June 29 2012, 9:54AM
“This is a news story, is it? How about writing belatedly about the Cambridge report which showed that Bristol is one of the worst LEA's in the country?”
by Spiggett
Friday, June 29 2012, 9:44AM
“"However in what office would you be told not to wear a certain brand of trousers or be taken aside and told your skirt was too short and measure it with a ruler! They'd be up for sexual harassment charges probably"
-Bristol County Court for one, but that's another story! -It's like the 60's never happened and Thatcher is back with her "Victorian Values" -Pathetic and backward...”
by Morrissey9
Friday, June 29 2012, 9:28AM
“The teachers may think they are preparing the kids for the world of work. In a way they are, as presumably they already insist on tucked in shirts, no scruffy trainers etc. However in what office would you be told not to wear a certain brand of trousers or be taken aside and told your skirt was too short and measure it with a ruler! They'd be up for sexual harassment charges probably.”
by Samantha1883
Friday, June 29 2012, 8:10AM
“What a ridiculous story, when I was at school we were being told off about uniform all the time, its pretty standard. What next, boy gets detention, shock horror!!!”
by Morrissey9
Friday, June 29 2012, 8:09AM
“Schools are never satisfied. Have all the girls in trousers of the correct brand and tightness, skirts with the right number of pleats, the correct number of inches from the knee, they will just think of something else to nitpick over. Just get on and teach them rather than exercising a sad power trip over these kids.”
by MRB82
Thursday, June 28 2012, 5:02PM
“Perhaps the complaining parents should not let their children buy the wrong school uniforms. Idiots.”
by tidgy_me
Thursday, June 28 2012, 4:43PM
“Pfft.....this is a non story. When I was in Secondary school (which wasn't that long ago) we weren't allowed to wear trousers, could only wear tights between November and February, and had to have uniform checks, which involved all the girls being sent down to the school hall, and having they're heels measured (couldn't be more than 1.25 inches) and kneeling down to ensure that the skirts touched the floor when we knelt. We'd also be checked for make up. If any of these rules were broken, you got sent home, end of. Sounds like the school is just trying to reclaim its standards.”