School hits back as students return home for failing to wear TIGHTS
00:25:00
A school in the UK has hit back after dozens of students returned home in this morning’s pouring rain after failing to wear tights.
Eyewitnesses have reported that between 40 and 60 girls in years seven and 11 were sent home by staff after arriving on the first day of the new academic year wearing socks rather than tights.
But Amanda Harrison, principal at Winsford Academy, has told the Guardian that only 11 students at the school have refused entirely to wear tights as part of their uniform – with most pupils who went home this morning later returning with tights.
And she believes parents have had enough time to know about the change.
"Families were all informed about this in July, and we sent out texts and letters about the change," Mrs Harrison said.
"We are trying to raise standards here and trying to get the girls to raise their aspirations, to be more professional and go into a professional career. Part of that is preparing them for life outside of school.
"We desperately want to work with parents, and we want to protect every child. We will not be turning students away unless it is by the request of parents."
Richard Hicks, vice principal, confirmed that the school bought tights from Asda for girls to change into this morning.
He added that the school decided to include tights in its uniform policy, following consultation with governors, as a ‘push for greater professionalism’.
“A lot of our students start the term well with appropriate skirts, but over time the length gets shorter and they wear longer socks,” he said.
“But they are exposing their legs and we did not feel that was smart. We wanted a smarter appearance.”
The school changed its uniform policy going into the new term, but several parents have complained they first became aware of the rule change in a text sent out by the school yesterday.
Many parents found that Winsford Academy’s website still said either tights or black socks are acceptable uniform for girls earlier this morning.
The school has since confirmed that this was the old website, which was still active until around 11am today, while the new website at winsford.academy had the new information.
Several parents also said they first became aware of the new policy in a text sent out by the school yesterday, which reminded them ‘as per our end of term letter and newsletter, girls need to wear black tights’.
Brian Lee Bishop is father to Nicole, 15, a prefect at Winsford Academy who is due to begin her final year studying GCSEs.
He told a paper that a member of staff informed him the school was 'refusing to educate' any girls not wearing tights.
“I’m a single parent with two children, and I bought all their uniform at the beginning of July after payday," he said.
"I didn’t get the letter at the end of term, and to just send this text is unacceptable.
“My daughter does not want to wear tights. She was wearing long socks that went up to her knee, and a skirt – nothing inappropriate.”
Sarah Mort, whose daughters Zoe Mort and Mollie Coleman attend the school, added: “They want to protect the girls’ dignity but the tights they were giving them are super thin.”
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