Pupils miss lessons on first day because of school uniform

The first day of term saw only eighty students not complying with the advised uniform guidelines. This was a small percentage of our overall student number and more than half of the discrepancies were resolved that day.

Today we have continued to provide help and assistance to the small number of students who arrived at school this morning with minor uniform infringements.

I am now pleased to confirm that all our students have now had any outstanding concerns with uniform resolved at William Howard School and all have settled into the new academic year with enthusiasm.

Students, parents and staff reacted quickly and positively to resolve any problems and I would like to express my thanks to everyone involved.”

Well, apparently they're too tight, and they're not the same length all the way down.

It's ridiculous, it's not fair. It's just frustrating, because they're saying they teach us like individuals and they've always taught us to express ourselves, but they're practically saying that we can't express ourselves any more."

If the school has a uniform all pupils should wear it properly, it's the parents that should supervise the children's dressing before they leave the house."

A lot of these students have their own minds and no matter what the parents say they are going to do what they want.

Why don't the teachers wear some sort of uniform, if the kids have to. It will show that they can follow rules too. It's all about learning not what they are wearing or what they look like surely."

Over 400 children at William Howard put in isolation yesterday including my 12 year old daughter, for 6 hours, because her trousers were too tight fitting over her thighs.

Went in and demanded a meeting with the head. They gave me new trousers."

My granddaughter had spent the day in isolation as her trousers were too tight, why did they take four hours to phone parents?

400+ pupils taken out of lessons is outrageous, some children were in there because they had the wrong socks on!!"

Parents know what the uniform is, they buy it. No skinny trousers, charcoal grey means just that! It's your fault just buy the correct uniform."

William Howard is one of the highest performing secondary schools in the county, with 1500 students. We pride ourselves on fostering a positive working environment offering not only academic success but also opportunities for students to experience a whole range of exciting activities. The school has always set high standards in all areas, including uniform. Our expectation is that all students should attend school in the approved uniform.

In July 2015, in preparation for the new term, a letter was sent out, reminding parents of our expectations in relation to school uniform. This was overtly welcomed by many parents. Students were also reminded of the school policy at assemblies prior to the summer break. This was followed up in our welcome assemblies on Tuesday, 8 September when we reiterated our expectations about uniform to the students.

On the first day of term - Tuesday 8 September - there were 80 students, mainly in the upper school, who unfortunately did not return with the correct uniform. After the morning assembly, these students were spoken to about the lack of conformity with the policy. The school then made every effort to resolve any issues, including assistance with providing school uniform including shoes.

Today, Wednesday, 9 September, the numbers have dropped to 40 students who are still not wearing the correct uniform. This rapid reduction has been achieved because of fantastic support from parents and carers who have been working with the school to endorse our uniform policy.

The school will resolve the small number of outstanding concerns with parents in the next couple of days.

During this period any students affected have been given appropriate work to complete. The aim is to get students fully integrated back into the school community as soon as possible. This approach has been warmly welcomed by the vast majority of the school community. I would like to thank all parents for their support.

No students have been excluded from school while the uniform issues are being resolved.

No students were sent home as a consequence of the uniform policy.

425 kids put in isolation at William Howard School today, for violation of the uniform code.

Well I say this to teachers.

We pay your wages via taxation, and how much do actions like these cost the taxpayer in catch up lessons ect?

If you really want our kids to comply to a stringent dress code, then I think you should practice what you preach - get yourselves a uniform as well."

My daughter was really looking forward to the new school term, and couldn't believe it when she was told she couldn't attend lessons, simply because her tights weren't dark enough.

I appreciate the school is trying to raise standards, but it seems common sense could have been used here.

Do the school really think it's a good idea for many of their pupils to be roaming the streets during the school day?"