School that banned children from wearing their own coats says backlash from parents is 'upsetting'
20.01.2022 - 12:35
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A high school which banned its students from wearing non-branded coats has accused some parents of using 'upsetting, abusive and inflammatory language' towards staff and governors.
In a statement, Bishop Heber in Malpas, Cheshire, urged parents to raise any concerns they have with the controversial rules - which only permit students to wear the branded school jacket on the Chester Road grounds - in a formal manner with the school complaints policy.
It added that 'no uniform will ever satisfy everyone, whether on cost or style'.
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Last week CheshireLive reported that parents had been left furious after Bishop Heber confiscated children's non-school branded coats while they were outside.
Photos showed staff milling around in warm overcoats while some children were just in jumpers.
One mum said that her asthmatic son was put into isolation for retrieving his confiscated coat as he was cold.
The school says it believes if kids were allowed to wear their own coats, it would 'erode the great relationships we have with the students' because they might end up wearing hoodies.
Parents have also complained about the cost and quality of the branded windcheater.
In the statement, prepared by headteacher David Curry and chair of governors Suzanne Anderson, it states that the school branded coat was chosen and designed by students back in 2009 and costs £10, adding that there are no current stock issues with the supplier.
When CheshireLive visited the shop which supplies the school clothing, the price of a coat was £25.
The statement described the current uniform as 'one of the cheapest to buy in the region' and said the school has always been