FURIOUS parents have hit out at a school who banned jumpers for months and ordered students to wear blazers “at all times”.
Winston Churchill School in Woking, Surrey, has come under fire after the absurd rules were put in place.
Jon Bond – The SunWinston Churchill School in Woking, Surrey, has come under fire[/caption]
The school parked outrage after ordering kids to wear blazers “at all times” – even during chilly spring mornings.
The strict new rule, which kicked in on April 22, means woolly jumpers are off-limits until the end of October.
And staff say blazers can only come off if the weather’s scorching and students ask nicely.
Pupils in Year 11, currently taking GCSE exams caught wearing their jumper who refuse to remove it have been told they cannot attend the end of year celebrations.
But mums and dads aren’t having it – with some openly defying the rule by sending kids in wearing banned knitwear.
Others have fired off sweary emails in protest.
In response to the jumper stipulation, other parents have set up a petition, signed by 349 people so far, to reverse the rule change.
“They’ve lost the plot,” one parent fumed. “The weather’s unpredictable and kids should feel comfortable in class.”
Another said: “It’s not just about staying warm – it’s about confidence and school pride.”
One parent wrote: “Daft thing to be distracting kids with. Especially those with exams coming up.
“If they can’t wear them the school should refund all parents for the jumpers.”
Headteacher Zoe Johnson-Walker has responded to the uproar with a scathing letter, refusing to back down on the policy.
She warned parents to stop “undermining” school rules, accusing some of cherry-picking which ones to follow.
In her letter, Mrs Johnson-Walker explained her decision-making is influenced by managing 1,500 children, unlike parents who only have “one or two to look after”.
“Our school has very clear expectations,” she wrote.
“If you’re fine ignoring this rule, what other rules will you decide don’t apply?”
However, her letter notes that the school has stated that children can wear a “base layer” under their shirts for warmth.
Students are also allowed to wear multiple layers while walking to school, but must comply with the blazer-only policy once they arrive.
The headteacher added: “If I said PE kit was allowed, most would rock up in polo shirts and shorts,.
“So – no change. Blazers must be worn. Every day. Every situation.”
She warned that parents encouraging rule-breaking are placing their children “in direct conflict with the school”.
And Mrs Johnson-Walker also took aim at “abusive” messages from parents, warning they’ll now be printed and filed in pupils’ records.
The headteacher stated that such communications would be “printed and logged” in students’ files.
In a final rallying cry, Mrs Johnson-Walker urged: “We’re always here for your child. I need you to now be here for your school.”
The Sun have contacted The Winston Churchill School for comment.
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