High school bans designer coats to prevent 'poverty-shaming'

A school in Merseyside has banned pupils from wearing designer coats in an attempt to prevent ‘poverty-shaming’ in the classroom.

Woodchurch High School in Birkenhead sent a letter out to parents prohibiting pupils from wearing branded coats – naming Canada Goose and Moncler as examples.

Despite head teacher Rebekah Phillips believing that many are in support of the school’s latest move, a large number of parents took to Facebook to call out the ban.

One father took to the social media platform to write, “I work very hard to afford to buy my children some luxury items which I never had. Are these people who are asking where parents get the money from the same parents who are sitting there on their 1,000 pound phones, watching their 60-inch televisions?”

“All my daughter wanted for Christmas was a coat, which I have bought for her. The school should have thought about this in September.”

Another commented: “I think it’s pathetic. If I or my family member want to buy ‘an expensive coat’ with our hard earned money so what?!”

However, there were parents who agree with the forthcoming ban.

“I think it’s a fair decision and other schools should follow in example,” another parent argued. “All the children in this school have to have the same bags, they are not allowed certain shoes and the coat is just another. This definitely stops bullying as all the children dress the same so no individual can be singled out. Good work Woodchurch High School.”

A fellow parent agreed, writing: “I think we should all stop and think of the children whose parents can’t afford these coats it should be the same school coat for all part of the uniform and if people want to buy expensive coats wear them out of school seems a sensible plan by the school to me.”

On the divisive ban set to be introduced after the Christmas holidays, the school’s headteacher said: “We are very concerned as a school about poverty-proofing our school environment and, as such, we met with groups of pupils and made the decision in consultation with them.”

“The pupils spoke to us about the pressure on families and the pressure on themselves to wear particular branded coats. A few years ago we introduced a school bag for the same reason. We have had parents approaching us asking us to introduce a ban prior to us writing the letter.”

Moncler, one of the brands under question, sells coats for teenagers with a starting price of £425. Meanwhile, jackets by Canada Goose can reach eye-watering figures of up to £4,000.

Do you agree with the school’s decision to ban designer coats or is a call that should be left to the parents?

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