100 pupils sent home in blitz on uniforms

A HUNDRED pupils have been sent home from Failsworth High School in two days for wearing the wrong shoes.

Eighty were told to go home on Tuesday as part of a school uniform crackdown.

The school says many returned quickly in the correct footwear which must be plain, black and leather. The numbers of pupils sent home yesterday fell to 20, but it is claimed that others did not go in.

Before half-term the school focused on inappropriate skirts.

Head teacher Mr John Meagher explained: “Our next focus was to ensure that the type of shoe worn promotes the smart business-type look for which we strive, initially by looking at canvas or trainer type footwear.

“Students and parents were made aware of these changes over a long period of time in a variety of ways. Prior to the summer, assemblies were held for all students, a newsletter was sent home, uniform details are on the school website and parents were sent two text messages reminding them of the standards we expect from all our students and not just in relation to skirts.

“With regards to the current issue about wearing inappropriate shoes, this was also reaffirmed by two further letters sent home in the last half term.

“Students wearing this type of footwear were seen on entry to the school and told of the consequences if they returned after the half-term break in shoes not fulfilling the uniform standard.”

Mr Meagher said the school would look at individually at any hardship cases, adding: “The reasons why we have a school uniform are varied and many.

“For example it helps to instil a sense of pride in the school, it is less expensive than fashion clothing and stresses that individuality and self-expression is not determined by wearing uniform. Any student not meeting the uniform standards will be welcomed back as soon as they have resolved this issue.”

But one man, who grandson was sent home, said: “They said in September black Nike trainers were okay. On Monday he was sent home because they are inappropriate.

“My daughter is a single parent and they expect her to go out and pay £50 for a new pair of shoes.

“There are children being kept off, they are not being allowed back in until they have a black leather shoes. “If they do go in they are being put in exclusion.”

Another parent claimed: “My perfect student daughter is being denied an education which means she’ll leave school with no qualifications and will not be able to go to college.”