Sue Cason of Thornbury writes on the subject of school uniforms:

Thornbury I can't be the only person to have noticed some very smart young people around Thornbury since the beginning of September!

I am referring of of course to the pupils of Castle School wearing the new uniform that was introduced at the start of the 2018-2019 school year last month.

I suspect, having had two very fashion-conscious teenage daughters of my own and now with a ten-year old granddaughter who already has very set ideas of what she likes and dislikes when it comes to the latest fashions, that many of the youngsters who were being told that they would have to wear a much more formal uniform than in the past, were not at all happy!

They probably considered this new, more traditional style of uniform to be 'uncool' and I'm sure many parents heard the resounding statement of, "I'm not wearing that!"

Unfortunately for these 'objectors', they had no choice.

However, I've got news for them as I think, as do many others I've spoken to, that they look great!

I do appreciate that for some families it was an expensive exercise kitting out their children with all the items of clothing on the new uniform list, particularly if they have more than one child who fell into the age groups that are required to wear it. I feel especially vexed for the parents of Year 8 pupils who last school year bought the old style uniform and this year were informed that new uniform was being introduced meaning they would have to purchase another whole set of clothes.

Included in the new uniform there are strict guidelines on the type of shoes to be worn (yes,shoes, as trainers no longer allowed!) so there will be no call on them now by their off-spring to buy expensive designer trainers or skinny, black jeans (as,let's face it, that's what a lot of the youngsters used to wear, passing them off as trousers!)

In the eyes of the 'objectors', they probably still feel that they look 'uncool' in this new garb, but they can take comfort in knowing that they all look 'uncool' together!

Actually, they look anything but 'uncool': they look extremely smart and are now a credit to their school!

As they are now all dressed the same, in regulation uniform, I'm sure this will help enormously to hopefully lessen any bullying that might have taken place with pupils being 'picked on' and taunted for not having designer items as part of their schoolwear.

Well done and thank-you to the management team at Castle School for introducing the new uniform and I re-iterate to the pupils wearing it, you look great!

Sue Cason

Thornbury