Parents are expressing dissatisfaction with a school’s sudden uniform policy change, which they claim left many families unprepared financially. According to families of students at Dixons Brooklands Academy, the school shared updated uniform rules via their website over the weekend, catching parents off guard.
Despite having already purchased necessary items and budgeted for the school year during the summer break, parents of students in Year 10 and 11 were surprised to learn that shirts and blouses without collars were no longer acceptable under the new guidelines. The revised policy now mandates that students wear outfits with matching cuffs and collars, accompanied by a suit in grey, navy, or black, and a claret tie.
For younger students, a plain white shirt paired with black tailored school trousers is now required, as skirts have been prohibited since last year. Upset by the lack of communication from the school, parents criticized the last-minute changes and labeled the school as “incompetent.”
In response, some parents are refusing to comply with the new regulations unless they are reimbursed by the school. Venting his frustration on social media, a father mentioned that the uniform policy was altered just days before the start of the school year, causing inconvenience to families who had already made purchases based on the previous guidelines.
Several parents shared similar experiences, noting that the abrupt notice did not allow them enough time to make necessary adjustments. The school defended its actions, stating that families were informed of the uniform changes before the summer holidays through a letter sent on June 30. They emphasized the importance of preparing students for the professional world of work through appropriate business attire.
Dixons Brooklands Academy clarified that the updated policy requiring collared tops was intended to align with a more professional dress code. They highlighted that the changes were made in the best interest of the students and welcomed feedback from families regarding any concerns or suggestions.