School bans kids’ coats – then blames PARENTS for ‘abusive’ language and calls their fury ‘upsetting’
A SCHOOL that banned kids from wearing coats has now blamed PARENTS for "abusive" language while branding their fury "upsetting".
Outraged mums and dads blasted Bishop Heber in Malpas, Cheshire, after pupils were left "freezing" as staff confiscated jackets that didn't have the school's logo on.
The school has now accused some parents of using "inflammatory language" towards workers as they fumed about the controversial policy.
Kids are only allowed to wear a branded school coat on its grounds which, along with various items of clothing, would cost a family up to £100 per child.
Parents have complained about the cost of the branded windcheater as despite the school claiming it will set them back just a tenner, it's reportedly on sale in some shops for £25.
The school says it believes if children were allowed to wear their own coats, it would "erode the great relationships we have with the students", because they would push the boundaries and start to wear hoodies.
But after backlash from parents, the school has now urged them to raise concerns in a more "formal" manner via its complaints policy, reports
A statement from the school reads: "Almost 20 years ago, the school made a commitment to an affordable uniform policy, and we believe the current uniform is one of the cheapest to buy in the region and complies with the affordable school uniform legislation being introduced this year.
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"The coat was chosen and designed by students in 2009 and costs £10.
"The school is confident that students are not sitting in classrooms that are unusually cold for the time of year and students should not need to wear coats to keep warm.
"Additionally, all students have access to an indoor space and/or classroom during any breaks.
"We hope that parents and the wider community appreciate that governors and school leaders are trying to do their best in what has been an exceptionally difficult period for us all.
"Governors hope that parents will use the school complaints policy if they have a concern.
"Such complaints can be dealt with formally and carefully and without some of the upsetting, abusive and inflammatory language that has been directed at staff and governors."
The school also insisted they are not aware of any stock issue as they asked parents "who have faced problems" to contact them so they can liaise with their supplier.
'ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS'
"No uniform will ever satisfy everyone, whether on cost or style," the statement adds.
"The school has always been keen to protect the vulnerable members of the school community who could not afford expensive ‘status-symbol’ coats and we hope that the present uniform strikes the right balance between affordability and practicality."
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It comes after one angry mum said her asthmatic son was put into isolation for retrieving his confiscated coat because he was cold.
"They confiscated his [my son's] coat yesterday - outside - which I thought was absolutely ludicrous. He has asthma, which he is on constant medication for, so getting cold does him no good whatsoever.
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"Because he went and got his coat back because he was cold, he has been put into isolation, that was his punishment.
“Why would you take a coat off a child when you know they’ve got asthma?"