Parents '˜consider student strike' at Doncaster school over new uniform rules

The new rules were introduced at De Warenne Academy, in Conisbrough on Monday.

They state that female students are now banned from wearing earrings or visible make-up, nail varnish, hair extensions or dying their hair any colour other than brown or black.

Boys are no longer allowed to have their hair shaved at a grade 0 or one, or with defined patterns cut into a longer style.

Following the introduction of the policy, some parents are now set to meet tomorrow night to discuss the new rules and the possibility of a “student strike”.

The school has denied claims that pupils were going through an ‘inspection line’ in a mornng. It also did not comment on the suggestion of a possible student strike or on claims that students have been disciplined for having “too many curls” in their hair.

Executive principal at De Warenne Academy Gareth Mason said: “I’d like to thank parents and carers for the support many have given to the change in the behaviour policy and the feedback given at a parents’ consultation evening.

“We want to create a culture and a friendly atmosphere in the academy where teachers are focused on talking to students about their learning, their progress and the subject being taught.

“The new behaviour policy is available on the school website.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, under the new behaviour policy, we simply ask the following:

- Mobile phones are to be turned off at the marked entrance to the academy and turned back on there at the end of the school day.

- Students do not wear jewellery in the academy. Where students have difficulty with certain types of piercing, they may need to cover these until they can be removed over the summer

- No make-up is worn other than discrete foundation.

- Students adhere to our existing uniform policy with regards hair length, colour and style.

He added: “Students are not being searched at the gate or anywhere else. We do welcome them to say good morning and greet them so they feel safe and secure in their learning environment.”

* The National Union of Teachers are set to go on strike tomorrow at De Warenne Academy in protest over a restructure being led by the schools’ sponsor School Partnership Trust Academies (SPTA).

The NUT said the restructure will mean some staff lose jobs and a narrowing of the school curriculum.

However the SPTA said that without a restructure the school would have been facing a deficit of £510,000 this year. It also said that pupils were taking too many courses and there needed to be more focus on core subjects to improve their performance.