A FATHER has written to his son’s school to express his concern surrounding the implementation of a new school uniform.

Although Nathan, from Bude, wrote to Budehaven Community School that he agrees ‘introduction of a new policy is needed, and is welcome’, he said he disagrees with its ‘implementation, the sourcing and the lack of disclosure around the decision making process’.

He said ‘sourcing a sole [uniform] supplier in Exeter’ does not fit in with the Department for Education’s guidance on school uniform from 2013, which recommends the governing body ‘consider the cost, the available supply sources and year round availability of the proposed uniform to ensure it is providing best value for money for parents’.

He wrote: “The supplier in question charges for delivery, charges for returns, and then charges for delivery of replacements. There are numerous posts on social media where parents have purchased garments based on sizes suggested by the school, which have been incorrect. This is incurring extra cost to the parents. Again, this falls below the guidance I have highlighted to you.”

Nathan told the Post: “I don’t have an issue with a change in policy — I think a smart uniform is good for the school. Changing from a school jumper as the only real uniform to a blazer, shirt and tie is a good thing.

“The issue most of the parents have is around the location of Exeter as the only place to purchase the uniform. We used to be able to get the uniform in Bude — which makes sense. Exeter is a long trip — and delivery charges for getting the uniform and returning if too big are ridiculous.

“There has not been any open and transparent communications made around how the decisions were made — and why a locally sourced uniform provider was not an option.”

Budehaven Community School’s headteacher, Ms Tracey Reynolds, stressed she did not want the concerns raised ‘to detract from the pride that our students now have in their new uniform’.

Ms Reynolds continued: “Firstly, can I say that our students look fabulous. They all arrived for their first day at school walking tall and wearing their uniform with pride. 100% of our students are wearing the school uniform and we are hugely grateful to our parents for working with the school to make this happen. Our children look ‘ready to learn’ and they are acting ready to learn too. We have received comments from the community about how smart they look and what a huge improvement it is.

“Our uniform changed this September after a year-long consultation and preparation period. Our students very generously donated their old uniforms to a local refugee charity at the end of last term.

“The uniform for Year 7 to 10 is now a navy jacket with the school’s badge, blue shirt, tie, and either grey trousers/skirt/shorts/culottes, black shoes and dark tights/socks. It used to be black trousers/shorts/skirts, dark tights/socks, white polo shirt with school logo, black shoes and sweatshirt with the Budehaven logo. So we have swapped the bespoke school sweatshirt for a bespoke jacket. The additional item is a school tie. There is no change to our Year 11s this year — they are in the old uniform.

“Like our local schools in Bude and Stratton, or nearby in Devon, the logo part of the uniform has an online supplier. So the jacket and tie are available online at a reputable online uniform store Thomas Moore. The reason schools use a single supplier in this way is quite simply to ensure the key part of the uniform (the bespoke part) is indeed ‘uniform’ so not different shades, shapes, materials and so on.

“As all schools do, we considered several suppliers who offered a bespoke item in this way. The provider does also offer other items of uniform but parents do not have to buy from that store. Our parents may buy blue shirts, trousers, culottes, shorts, black shoes, tights etc from any other shop whether that be a local store, a supermarket or online, should they wish. Our parents wanted both online and a shop option, many of our parents live outside of town, so it was important that they could buy the uniform online too.

“The route taken to the new uniform began in late spring 2017 and ended spring 2018. In that time we received feedback as part of our consultation process. The school and its governing body consulted with students, staff, parents and acted on the feedback. So for example, we were concerned about cost so we took the jumper out of the school uniform and made this optional. We have also ensured, as we always have, that any parent who makes us aware that they may be experiencing hardship, is helped with the cost of the uniform or any school equipment, from a local hardship fund. Our fantastic PTA, Friends of Budehaven will be building up a second hand uniform store over the next year too.”