School sends pupils home for wearing the wrong shade of trousers

One school has angered parents after subjecting students to an army-style uniform check [Photo: Getty]
One school has angered parents after subjecting students to an army-style uniform check [Photo: Getty]

School uniform is a hot topic at the moment with gender-neutral implementations and sexist skirt-measuring techniques.

But one school has taken the biscuit with its ridiculously strict dress code. Pupils at Kepier School in Houghton-le-Spring have complained after being forced to line up outside to see if their trousers were the correct shade of grey.

Those who failed the test were sent home with others barred from classes.

Pupils captured photos and footage of how they were made to “line up in the rain” while teachers walked along with colour swatches to check their trousers had been bought from the right shop.

Kepier School have defended their decision [Photo: Twitter]
Kepier School have defended their decision [Photo: Twitter]

Parents were furious after hearing about the rigorous uniform check with one mum telling the Sunderland Echo: “They had no right to line up the children like that in the rain and inspect them. It’s outrageous, and like something you’d expect in the Army.”

Another mum recalled a phone call from her son who took part in the checks. “I got a phone call within two minutes saying: ‘Mam, they’re not letting us through the school gates,'” Kim Lister told the BBC.

“When I got down there, there were a load of children actually lined up having their uniform checked. I love the uniform but it would be nice if parents could have a choice where to go for the uniform.”

Other parents have agreed, saying they cannot afford the £15.99 trousers that the school requires. Others have asked why their children can’t wear the same pair of trousers bought for half the price from a supermarket.

Students are only allowed to wear trousers from a specific local retailer [Photo: Total Sport]
Students are only allowed to wear trousers from a specific local retailer [Photo: Total Sport]

“We are very, very particular about the uniform because we need consistency right across the board,” commented headteacher Nicky Cooper.

“In doing so, some learners were sent home. If you have different types of trousers it leads on to different types of shoes, different types of shirts etc.”

A charity has blasted the move, saying that schools should focus on more important things.

Luke Bramhall, from the Children North East charity, said: “Instead of focusing on discipline and punishing students for having the right uniform, what is important is for schools to understand what each individual child and their family is going through and how they can help in difficult circumstances.”

Social media has gone wild too with not one positive comment aimed at the school.

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