Parents’ fury as strict new head changes school uniform four weeks into new term
PARENTS have been left furious after a strict headteacher changed their children's school uniform four weeks into the new term.
Heworth Grange School in Gateshead sent out letters telling parents the new £8.99 polo shirts with the school logos they bought during the summer holidays were being replaced by plain white shirts and tie.
Angry parents were left asking why the new uniform wasn't introduced earlier on in the school year when children went back to school in September.
The unexpected change has caused rows to break out as parents now have to fork out even more money in addition to the expenses they faced a few weeks ago.
PARENTS 'FURIOUS'
School bosses say the polo shirts will now be used for PE and the tie that is being added is free - which just leaves the shirt or blouses to be bought, reported .
The new uniform was introduced on October 2 and the headteacher said "the vast majority of staff and students have responded very positively to the change", while some parents are outraged.
Mum Samantha Matfin told Chronicle Live: “I am absolutely furious. I am so angry and so are a lot of other parents.
"I bought polo shirts with the school logo on for my daughter returning to school last month and now they are changing the uniform. This doesn’t teach kids the value of money at all. It’s a joke, it really is.
“It’s just four weeks since she went back to school and now there is a change. I rang the lady at the school and said why can’t we have a meeting and discuss this first.
“I bought three white polo shirts and two blue polos for PE, all at £8.99. Now they say she can wear them all for PE that she has once a week. It really is a joke.”
UNEXPECTED CHANGE
In a letter produced on September 26 it said: “We are delighted to introduce ourselves as the senior team at Heworth Grange.
“We are taking on the leadership at a very exciting stage in the school’s journey and we will be working very hard to ensure that we secure very positive outcomes for the students we serve. We intend to transform the ethics of the school, creating the strong and vibrant school community that the people of this area deserve.
“We will continue to work closely with you to ensure that the standards we hold are of the highest possible. We will focus creating a culture of positivity. Celebration and an atmosphere where students are praised for the things they do well.
“As part of the change to leadership, we are also focusing on standards of uniform and behaviour.
We make no excuses for the high expectations at Heworth Grange, students who look good and feel positive are more likely to achieve. As a result, we are introducing a few changes to the standards of students at the school."
As part of the change to leadership, we are also focusing on standards of uniform and behaviour. As a result, we are introducing a few changes to the standards of students at the school
Heworth Grange School
Marc Doyle, Executive Headteacher of Heworth Grange School, said: “Following a consultation with members of the student body, the school’s new leadership team has agreed to a proposal for the uniform to change from a polo shirt to a shirt and tie. Every student has been presented with a tie free of charge.
“We appreciate that there are some parents and carers who are concerned about the purchasing of shirts too, so we are encouraging any families who have worries to contact us so that shirts can be provided."
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He added: “While we accept that it would have been preferable to make this decision at the end of last term, our new leadership team wanted to act quickly at the start of the term.
"The vast majority of staff and students have responded very positively to the change, believing that it will play a part in helping us to reaffirm standards and strengthen the ethos and vision of the school.
“We continue to be thankful for the support of the local community.”
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