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Parents and pupils angry
about non-uniform coats

by Luke Hollands

A school's decision to confiscate non-uniform coats from
pupils - despite freezing temperatures - has sparked a frenzy
of comments on this site.

We've been inundated with your
views on Aylesford School Sports College's move to take dozens of
non-regulation coats from their pupils, and it seems to have split
opinion.

One student at
the school was enraged by the decision: "The school did say that
they were going to be more strict on the coat rules, but at this
current recession who wants to spend £30 on their rubbish school
coats that are supposedly waterproof but aren't?

Also, scarves were being taken as
well and the school doesn't even supply scarves so, sorry if we
want to be warm and sorry if we want to prevent ourselves from
illnesses."

While another pupil agreed the
coats are not adequate: "The school uniform coats are like wearing
a bin liner, with either a very thin lining of fleece material or a
fly net-type lining.

I always used to wear the uniform
but now it's getting so cold I cannot actually come to school in
their uniform. If they made a suitable school uniform coat that
actually keeps you warm, I would be more than happy to wear
it."

For the original school uniform story - and for more
comments - click here. To add your comment, go to the 'make a
comment' tab below and join the debate.

The majority of parents seem to
have sided with the pupils. One mum said she can't see the problem
with non-regulation coats: "Both my daughters had their coats
confiscated even though they were not wearing them when they walked
onto school grounds, they both spent the day freezing. Although I
agree with a school uniform surely a plain black coat is not a
problem?"

Another parent, Danyele Langridge,
added: "The school and whoever makes these silly rules are being
pathetic, as long as the children take their coats off for lessons
who cares what coat it is as long as they are warm and they are
learning, which is the whole point of them being at
school."

But some people have defended the
school's decision. One pupil wrote: "This is so stupid. If they do
not like the school uniform policy then find a different school. I
have been at this school for four-and-a-half years, and I haven't
had a problem with the uniform. Parents are just arrogant: pupils
can wear their coats too and from school they just have to take
them off when in school, but the pupils are more worried about
their appearance than their education."

While one parent said: "When was
the last time you saw a Royal Mail member of staff wearing their
own coats on their rounds? Rules are rules. The letter the school
sent home was clear about what would happen.

"The coats are acceptable, they are
as warm and shower proof as most coats kids wear. Let's hope these
parents get the standard fine for truancy."

Head teacher Doug Lawson has
defended the decision to confiscate non-uniform coats. He said: "We
told pupils about the uniform policy and 32 coats were confiscated,
but only until the end of the day.

"The majority of parents are very
supportive of our standards and policy on uniform and we have been
able to arrange grants for those who have problems affording the
uniform,

"Many who had coats taken away have
been doing the full range of school activities and we have modern,
warm buildings."