Was head right to ask parents not to wear pyjamas to school?

KATE CHISHOLM, head teacher at Skerne Park Academy, was entirely justified and correct in her letter to parents, which politely requested them not to wear pyjamas when dropping off their children at school in the morning. It’s crucially important that children understand the necessity of appropriate dress throughout their life. Dressing in a way that respects those with whom we interact is an important life skill and the head teacher is right to want

support from the parents in teaching this. Skerne Park Academy has been through a major transition in the past three years, from a failing school to a ‘good’ school, as judged by Ofsted, under Ms Chisholm. She and the leadership team have worked closely to develop the organisation, staffing, management and leadership — and to raise standards in the primary school. Among other improvements, the school implemented a ‘back to basics’ style of teaching and it also has a new school uniform and logo. Ms Chisholm has my complete backing for her stance. It is right to insist on high standards and to aim to instil those high standards in our children. Today’s generation of schoolchildren will be looking for jobs in a competitive and unforgiving global race. Countries with an unrelenting focus on the quality and rigour of their education system will be the ones who win that race.

GRAHAM ROBB, North East chairman, Institute of Directors, Darlington.

DURING five years of my son’s life, I was entirely bed-bound.

Getting out of bed meant going to hospital, doctors, investigations or treatments. My husband, the only breadwinner, had to work odd hours. On days when this was absolutely necessary, I always prioritised my son’s attendance at school above my need to present well. Would headmistress Kate Chisholm consider this wrong? She says parents in pyjamas on the school run set a poor example, but I beg to disagree. My boy has various health issues and special needs. the head should have some notion of the extra attention and energy this takes from the parents and the frustrations the child deals with daily. Did nobody ask why some parents were turning up in nightwear? Might there not have been some heart-breaking stories of choosing to spend money on food and uniforms rather than on their own daywear? Did the head offer any solutions, support or cooperation to try to resolve any underlying problems? Or was her letter a result of poor judgement based on inaccurate assumptions? Is that the sort of example she wishes to set to these children?

ANNEKE VLIEGEN, address supplied.