This is what the Castle School's new uniform will look like

The school, which has until recently required its pupils to wear a crew neck jumper, polo shirts and black trousers has said the changes are to promote equality among the children and remove distractions from learning.

“It has become custom and practice for a lot of children to not wear the school uniform as it should be,” said interim head teacher Angie Browne.

“A lot wear the top but will wear dark jeans and trainers rather than the trousers and shoes they are meant to.

“What I have seen is a school that really needs to regain its standing in the community, and feel like it is a school at the heart of that community. By refreshing the uniform, it will be making sure our students all reflect both the aspirations we have for them

“It is not about being cosy and casual, we are a school that are striving to be outstanding and that is really important.”

After writing out to parents, informing them that the change would be considered, the school ran a consultation with parents and staff in February, with plenty of opinions being shared and substantial groups both in support and against change.

The changes have now been approved by governors, with the new uniform to be mandatory from September, with a blue blazer and jumper, white shirt and school tie to replace the existing more casual uniform.

Instead of black trousers, the uniform will require students to wear grey, with girls also having the option of a kilt.

For the first year, the change will apply to all pupils from year seven to year 10. Year 11 pupils will be allowed to wear the current uniform as it should be, but if breaches in the dress code continue, they will be required to conform to the new outfit.

Ms Brown said that during the consultation some parents said it was hard to have the conversation with their children about wearing the correct uniform, simply because of how everyone else would dress, so by introducing a new uniform, it was “drawing a line in the sand”.

“I don’t want children to be competing over whether or not they are wearing the right jeans,” she said. “I don’t think it is healthy, it is a complete distractions and I think that discussions around whether or not something looks good or not are a distraction from what we are here to do.

“We are trying to take the heat out of the conflict between our teachers and pupils about what is appropriate by having something that is non-negotiable.

“In many ways it will still require the school to be as on it as possible in challenging children who do not dress appropriately, but we are all starting in one place - that is in September with an agreed list of uniform.”

She said that there had been anxiety and “well raised points” from some parents that those with multiple children would face the cost of having to re-buy uniforms, as well as the children in receipt of pupil premiums.

In response, she said that a fund would be made available for parents to apply for assistance in buying uniforms and that children on pupil premium would have the necessary items provided for the first run of the uniform.