ALL high school’s pupils to get free uniform
A HUDDERSFIELD headteacher has revealed every pupil will be given free uniform as a gesture to the community.
It had been thought Newsome Academy was only offering the freebie to new Year 6 pupils next September.
But head Dean Watkin has now confirmed their plan is for the whole school to benefit from the hand out.
Mr Watkin declined to reveal the cost of equipping more than 600 pupils with complimentary blazers, shirts, trousers, skirts and ties, but with uniform estimated to cost between £100-£200 per pupil it could be more than £60,000.
Mr Watkin revealed the move was coinciding with the school launching a new shield and branding for the 2021/22 academic year.
It is thought to be the first time a Kirklees secondary school handed out free uniform to all.
Explaining how the idea had been hatched, he said: “We were having a conversation with the academy trust about families going through challenging times in the pandemic and being able to support them.
“Everyone’s had a troubled time and the last thing we wanted was for families to worry about is the transition.
“We had a conversation about how can we make things easier.
“Four years ago the school was in [financial] deficit but that’s resolved now. Because of that improvement we can put that finance back into the community.
“It’s not about marketing, it’s just because it’s right.”
Mr Watkin said his view on uniform was that it was important for everyone to look the part.
“It’s about being responsible citizens,” he said. “We all follow rules day in day out, so it’s not about results, it’s about creating a respectful culture in school.
“We all need to understand the importance of following the rules.”
He added: “In life there are ‘the haves’ and the ‘have nots’ and if you don’t have a uniform it tends to highlight the have nots.
“But generally it’s about having high expectations. In my experience schools that don’t have systems and standards are ones that have trouble.”
Mick Kay, CEO at Impact MultiAcademy Trust, added: “Families have been through some challenging times during the pandemic; being able to support them by providing uniforms for new pupils at Newsome Academy this year is living out our vision to be a Trust where hearts and minds connect.”
The new uniforms are not yet ready but Year 6 parents will be the first to get them in time for their children’s first day in September. Other year groups will follow. A voucher system is likely to be used to get the items from school outfitters.
The Trust has offered a special thank you to Print Bureau for supporting the school with all the new branding.