Plans to introduce a new school uniform branded "costly" and "pretentious" have been pushed back following a parent backlash, it is understood.

Whitehill Primary School in Sun Lane, Gravesend announced the proposals last month to the disapproval of various mums and dads who likened the attire to that of a "private secondary school".

Academy bosses had hoped to "promote and strengthen its reputation in the community" with a raft of changes to its "vision, strategic plan, logo and uniform".

This included replacing existing blue polo tops with white dress shirts and requiring pupils to wear neck ties.

New jumpers and cardigans costing £16.00 each were also mooted alongside various other items incorporating the school's new shield and tower logo and motif.

But parents and carers voiced their anger over planned uniform changes with a petition, claiming they are "expensive, uncomfortable and unsafe" and will hit the pocket of hard working families at a difficult time.

The school held a two week consultation on the plans which ended earlier this month.

Following a review of feedback received it is now understood to have put these changes on hold.

Mum Leanne Porter, who set up the petition, said she was "thrilled" the Academy had listened to and taken on board their "feelings and ideas".

She said: "The new school uniform idea has been postponed until atleast September 2022 which is much more of a reasonable time frame for parents to get their head around a brand new uniform.

"I still feel very strongly opposed to the idea of a formal shirt and tie and also think that being allowed to wear supermarket uniform items should be allowed.

"But we have been reassured that all parents will be consulted in the coming days and that we will be able to have our say as to what the children will actually wear.”

It comes after parents and carers challenged the timing of the move in the wake of disruption to working families amid the pandemic.

One parent said: "At a time that the government are extending free school meals, and other initiatives are in place to help struggling families, this is a massive kick in the teeth to us parents.

"The focus should be on our children’s education during this time, not how they look."

To support the community the Decus Educational Trust, which runs the Academy and nearby Gravesend Grammar School, had said it would gift every child with certain items according to their year group.

Last month headteacher Adam Lowing sought to reassure parents in a statement.

He said: "We will listen to all responses and then give careful consideration as to how we may move forward."

The school was approached for further comment.

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