School defends uniform policy saying clothing plays 'a big part in pride that students have'

No one made to work independently for having 'incorrect uniform' says BHS

No students at Ballakermeen High School have been asked to work independently due to having ‘incorrect’ uniform.

That’s what the Department of Education, Sport and Culture has told Manx Radio following concerns raised by some parents about uniform policy.

It follows a post on social media from a mother who claimed that ‘as of next Monday’ (25 September) girls who attended the school wearing a pencil skirt would be sent to ‘ILB’.

She added she wished the school would ‘take a stand’ on other issues reportedly taking place instead of ‘punishing hard working, conscientious pupils with ridiculous, petty rules.’

Other parents, on the popular parenting Facebook group 'FAMILIES OF MANN', confirmed their children had told them the same information.

One wrote: “Are they going to pay for new skirts for everyone with a pencil skirt?”

Another added: “It’s hard to get any other style skirt for girls of that age. They aren’t going to wear pleated.”

Some parents defended the school’s approach to uniform, however, saying: “My daughter is in year eight and has been literally begging me to buy her one of the pencil skirts. I wouldn’t even entertain the idea.”

Another shared their thoughts adding: “To be fair … the uniform policy is pretty clear and has been for some time so if parents have gotten the wrong ones it is on them.”

In response the department said: “School uniform plays a big part in the pride that students have in themselves and Ballakermeen.

“The school’s uniform policy can be found on their website and in the student planner.”

The section on skirts states:

Black, plain or pleated school uniform skirt. Please ensure that the skirt sits at no more than one inch above your child’s knee and is a formal school skirt - Lycra skirts are not acceptable.

Manx Radio asked whether people who aren’t adhering to the policy are taken out of their normal classes, and moved into an independent learning base, and was told: “Nobody has been sent to ILB for incorrect uniform.”