School sends 88 pupils home over uniforms

A school that launched a zero-tolerance policy on uniforms sent 88 pupils home on the first day of the new term for breaches of the new regulations.

Staff at Kingswood College of Arts, in Hull, ordered scores of children out of lessons for breaches including wearing Ugg boots and failing to wear blazers.

The new rules were adopted after teachers noticed standards at the 900-pupil school had begun to slip in September.

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A total of 88 pupils were sent home on Monday under the new guidelines, with 53 returning correctly dressed later.

But a further 25 were given warnings on Tuesday, angering many parents.

Parent Cindy Hilton's 14-year-old daughter Bronwyn Constable was sent home on both days for failing to wear a blazer.

"She has gone to school as normal in full school uniform but she does not like the blazers," she said. "Sending them home is a bit much.

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"They are missing out on their education. Children don't learn with their clothes."

Pam Hamilton, whose daughter Chloe was excluded from normal lessons for wearing fashionable Ugg boots, said: "They could have said, 'Here is a letter for your parents, you need some shoes.' I understand that she should have gone in shoes but still let her learn."

Headteacher Nicole Swallow sent parents a letter last month reminding them of the uniform rules and warning them no variations would be tolerated.

"If you take any successful school, the first thing they do is to tackle the uniform," she said.

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"I owe it to the greatest majority of parents who send their children in dressed correctly and I am determined it will happen.

"It is a basic requirement. It is very simple to remember to wear it in the morning."

She added: "The greatest majority of parents are supportive, but I find it disconcerting that some parents are not and that some children think they can do what they want."

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