A schoolboy has been banned for the classroom on his first day back after turning up in £100 Nike Air Force trainers. The youngster is just one of a number of students who has faced punishment as a result of the new uniform rules at Moorside High School, in Cellarhead.
The recently introduced policy has prohibited trainers - including Hush Puppies and Kickers - as well as slip-ons and ankle boots. However, the same footwear was allowed in the previous 2021/22 academic year, with some pupils arriving to school wearing the shoes as last year, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports.
Mum Alison Barker said: "My lad was one of them. It is the most important last year of school for his education. He was wearing the same black sturdy shoe that was acceptable last term so I refuse to buy another pair when his others are practically brand new. He had no lessons on Wednesday and was allowed no lunchtime. These children have already missed nearly two years of education due to Covid."
Jayne Myatt spent more than £100 on her son's school shoes last year - and now he can't wear them. She said: "This school seems intent on ripping every child of any last ounce of individuality that they have.
"I’m all for following rules. But the children are now being told they can’t wear school shoes that they have worn for the past school year.
"This put unnecessary pressure on parents to replace shoes that are otherwise fine. Times are hard enough as it is without parents having to replace perfectly wearable and useable items of clothing."
Fellow parent Natalie Beckwith added: "My daughter was one of them forced in a room. She had to wipe her face to prove she didn't have make-up on, even though she didn't. She was then sent back to the room where she got accused of talking when she wasn't and lost her temper which is understandable. She ended up coming home in the end."
Parents believe new headteacher Darryn Robinson is behind the uniform crackdown.
He said: "Our uniform creates a sense of identity and community for our pupils. These changes represent a wider part in raising standards within the academy as well as continuing to create a source of pride.
"The academy communicated, and worked with, parents, guardians and pupils from June last year to prepare for this September. Changes were made in June, with further changes made this September to avoid additional cost implications for families.
"We have worked closely with families to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible. We had parent consultations last term with parents invited in to discuss any issues with the headteacher and responded to feedback in those meetings. We continue to work closely with families to ensure the highest expectations and outcomes for our learners."
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