Mum Lee-Ann Cordingley was shocked to find out that she could only buy her son’s school uniform trousers in two approved stores, due to the school's strict uniform policy.
Lee-Ann said parents are not allowed to buy cheaper pairs and sew on the crest themselves and instead must pay £16 for a pair of trousers with the crest of the National Academy in Hucknall Nottinghamshire on them.
She told The Metro: “This is ludicrous for some families who might have two or three children to buy two or three pairs each for.
“They’re really strict with their uniform policy, and I don’t think they’ve been particularly polite with how they’ve told the parents – they’ve just made it sound like everyone’s going to be in trouble”.
She added: “My husband and I don’t see any point in having these logos, and apart from anything else they have to wear their blazers at all times, which covers up the logos anyway.
According to a memo sent out by the school, children who do not wear the approved trousers will not be accepted into class.
The memo states that “non-regulation trousers, even if they have the embroidered academy logo, will not be accepted.
According to the school’s uniform policy, boys must wear: a navy-blue blazer with academy badge; a pale blue shirt (long or short sleeves); a clip-on academy tie; branded black trousers; and plain black shoes (not plimsolls, canvas trainers or boots).
Mum slams school’s ‘strict’ uniform policy which says boys must wear £16 trousers https://t.co/LhlpSMje4M
— Metro (@MetroUK) September 2, 2017
Lee-Ann says the cost of these particular trousers places even greater financial pressure on parents, given the mounting cost of kitting a child out for the school term each year.
“If we buy trousers from somewhere like Marks and Spencer or Debenhams, you can get two decent pairs for £15 that are perfectly acceptable. These just seem completely overpriced.
‘When you add in all the sports equipment, the rugby boots, the AstroTurf boots, it all costs a lot”, she concluded.
What do you think mums? Are you facing similar issues with school uniforms? Let us know.
