School put child in isolation for wearing uniform from supermarket and not from the official supplier
14 September 2023, 10:20 | Updated: 15 September 2023, 11:16
Read the latest: Mother 'disgusted' after daughter put into isolation over cheap skirt
A child was put into isolation by her secondary school when she wore an "identical" skirt from a supermarket instead uniform from the correct shop.
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Parents are furious at the strict uniform policy at Holderness Academy, in Hull, which tells its pupils to buy from the retailer Rawcliffes.
Holderness Academy, in Hull, defended its policy, saying its uniform is designed to "foster equality and encourage a sense of pride".
A child was said to have been suspended because she was wearing a skirt that looked almost exactly like one from Rawcliffes but had actually been bought in Asda.
One parent, whose daughter attends the school, told HullLive: "I had to replace shoes because they had a gold trim. My daughter was subjected to a 50-minute line up on the playground with all the other Year 7s in blazing sun on Tuesday while the assistant head and other teachers went up and down the lines inspecting them.
"There's children having buckles cut off their shoes by teachers, put in isolation for wearing a belt and being told they can't wear a skirt bought from Asda despite it being identical to the one from Rawcliffes school shop."
School uniform policy is especially in focus given the cost of living crisis.
The retailer's website shows that for Holderness' uniform, families will need to fork out up to £34 for a girl's blazer, £21.99 for girls' trousers - or the same for a pleated skirt - up to £21 for a twin pack of the girls' white blouse, £5.99 for a two pack of tights and £5.50 for the school tie.
That leaves families paying just shy of £90 simply to own the bare minimum for the uniform - without replacements if anything was to happen to the trousers or jacket.
For comparison, Asda George sells a pack of two pleated skirts for £14, five long sleeve white girls’ shirts for £11 and a pack of five tights for £6.50.
A spokeswoman for the Consortium Academy Trust, which runs Holderness, said: "The start of the academic year is a key period in which standards and expectations are set.
"We work respectfully with our learners to support good habits and adherence to key policies; this is in the best interest of all members of the school community.
"Our schools’ uniform expectations foster equality and encourage a sense of pride and belonging in the community.
"We are working through a small number of concerns that have been raised by parents and will continue to work with them to overcome any barriers."
The school's uniform policy on its website says parents can get in touch with the school if they have difficulties getting the clothes.
It states: "We appreciate that uniform is an expensive financial investment, and we work hard to ensure our uniform is affordable and of the highest quality. This is done through a rigorous tendering process which is conducted periodically."
