Policy not wearing too well

Back to school week marks the end of summer, the return of school-run gridlock on the roads and the hardy annual of the school uniform firestorm.

Facebook is awash photos of ruddy cheeked urchins in their school finery being packed off to ‘Big School’ by proud and sometimes tearful mums and dads. Unfortunately, our news pages are dominated by the hullaballoo at Kepier school.

Children are being lined up for uniform checks and those that fail are either sent home to change or sent to isolation on school premises. It doesn’t look good.

It’s a cause of huge consternation for many parents, children and the school staff themselves.

Matters are not helped by Tory councillor Robert Oliver wading into the debate with a not-so thinly disguised pop at the parents of those children who failed the uniform test.

Where you stand on the issue will be swayed by many factors, but the good outweighs the bad on schools having a uniform policy. As long as it is clearly explained to the parents and children and supported by the majority, it makes sense to have it and ensure it is met. But there has to be give and take on both sides. If children are cocking a snook at authority and turning up in red tracksuits, then of course they should be penalised.

But arriving at school in trousers that aren’t strictly the right shade of grey or manufactured with the wrong weave, is that really so bad?

Some parents are on tight budgets and are making a great effort to balance finances and follow the rules. They should not be penalised.

We sincerely hope a compromise can be found that satisfies all sides.