93 pupils sent home in uniform crackdown

MORE than 90 pupils have been sent home from Waterhead Academy in a crackdown on incorrect uniforms.

And some students who continue to flaunt the dress code will be excluded, the school has warned.

Letters were sent home to parents before Christmas warning them about the move.

A total of 93 pupils were excluded on the first day of term, falling to two yesterday. Rumours that the total figure is 180 have been dismissed as wild speculation but the school has not confirmed the number.

Principal Nigel McQuoid said: “The way students present themselves for school is an important part of the overall learning experience and preparation for the future.

“Since 2011, we have made it clear that a certain standard is expected of students in how they present themselves.

“In order to help them to do this a booklet was distributed along with clear guidelines of what action would be taken should students not turn up to school wearing the correct uniform.

Pleased
“A number of students were sent home on the first day of term last week.

“We are pleased to report that the majority of students have now conformed to the standards of uniform expected of them.

“The few students who have continued to disregard the uniform on more than one occasion will be excluded until they wear the correct uniform.

“The school is liaising with parents in such cases.

“No students have been excluded from school for not wearing school uniform due to genuine hardship.

“Any such cases will be assisted by the school.

“Parents will not be penalised for such absences from school, this only applies in cases of perpetual truanting, of which there are no cases at Waterhead Academy.

“I am pleased to see that, on the whole, improvements are being made and that the vast majority of students are presenting themselves not only in the correct uniform, but in a smart and mature way.”

The crackdown has been criticised on a Facebook campaign set up bring back the previous principal David Yates who resigned in August, 2011.

Stress
One post said: “Waterhead Academy have been deliberately inconvenient and have caused staff, parents and pupils alike an awful amount of stress.”

It criticised the amount of lessons missed by pupils and continued: “Uniform is an important part of school, it helps to set the right tone and is a form of discipline.

“However, in this case, it has been taken to the extreme.”

Waterhead replaced Breeze Hill and Counthill schools in September, 2010.

It opened in the existing buildings and will move into the new school in Waterhead later this year.

Its first inspection was in November when education watchdog Ofsted said: “Students report that behaviour has improved and that expectations of them have been increased.”