Primary school spends £10,000 on uniforms to improve behaviour

A primary school has taken an unusual step to try and improve behaviour by spending £10,000 on brand new uniforms for every single pupil.

Governors at Highbank Primary School, in Nottingham, voted to set aside the large sum of money to buy the clothes ready for the start of next term in September.

All 280 children will be given two blue sweatshirts with the school’s logo on, as well as two shirts and one dress or pair of trousers.

The youngsters will also be kitted out in a full PE kit and even be given a new bag to carry it in a bid to boost standards and instill pride.

The school, in the deprived area of Clifton, Nottinghamshire, decided to splash out the equivalent of £35 per uniform after children kept turning up for classes looking too scruffy.

Headteacher Giles Civil said he hoped the new uniforms would give pupils "a sense of belonging" and "raise expectations in terms of behaviour".

The school is an academy meaning it is funded directly from the Government rather than being given a budget through Nottingham City Council.

A total of 195 children have free school meals which are handed out to children from low-income families.

Although the school will provide the uniform and PE kit, parents are still being asked to buy smart shoes and trainers for sport.

Parents said the new uniforms would help save money and stop children from poor backgrounds being bullied.

Mum-of-four Nicola Russell, 26, who sends two of her children to the school, said:

The school are also introducing a separate uniform for their eldest pupils in Year 6 to help them prepare for the move to secondary school.

Instead of blue jumpers, the older children will be given grey V-neck jumpers and will also be provided with a school tie.

Chairman of governors Alison Day, said: