Woking school slammed for uniform rule change as headteacher hits back at parents

A Surrey secondary school has been blasted by parents after a uniform change saw pupils forced to strip off their jumpers during a fire drill. Parents of children at The Winston Churchill School in Woking were told pupils must not wear their uniform issue jumpers from April 22 until the end of October half term. Ramifications of wearing jumpers on chilly days during these six months include being sent to isolation for the day.

Pupils in Year 11, currently taking GCSE exams caught wearing their jumper who refuse to remove it have been told they cannot attend the end of year celebrations. While parents claim to have contacted the school to complain, children have been given no grace to the rule. One mother, particularly worried about her children’s wellbeing, told SurreyLive her eldest is taking GCSE exams, and has been left feeling cold in the exam hall.



“I phoned up and was told the headteacher, Mrs Johnson-Walker, was not taking any calls. I want to know the reason they can’t wear a jumper when it’s still cold. “The threats to Year 11 were horrendous.

I’m angry, of course, there’s no logic behind this.” A letter, seen by SurreyLive, since issued to parents suggests the change is part of the school's approach to safety and discipline, with the headteacher urging parents to back the new rule. It was also raised that during the fire drill when children were told to remove their jumpers, many teenagers were left feeling self conscious as their undergarments were visible under their school shirts.

The teens had to spend the rest of the day feeling uncomfortable, the parent claims, as they had not pre-planned to wear white undergarments under their school uniform because they were wearing their jumper. In response to the jumper stipulation, parents have set up a petition , signed by 349 people so far, to reverse the rule change. One parent wrote: “Daft thing to be distracting kids with.

Especially those with exams coming up. If they can’t wear them the school should refund all parents for the jumpers.” Following the uproar a letter addressed to parents, seen by SurreyLive, saw Mrs Johnson-Walker thank parents who supported the school, explained how staff at the school were there for all pupils and urged parent to get behind the change and be there for the school too.

The letter reads: “I am disappointed that the rule around wearing jumpers is being undermined by a small number of parents.” It is highlighted in the letter that children can wear a base layer, and can wear any other layers they like outside of school grounds. Pupils must keep their blazers on, and are not permitted to remove it without staff permission.

The headteacher also said: “There are so many important issues that students and parents could engage in and yet this one simple change is being undermined. You will be hearing about issues with the science tower shortly, school budgets are challenging, teacher recruitment is very difficult, and our PTA is about to fold as there is so little support from parents.” The letter states that some parents had used abusive language in some communications.

Such communications will be logged on their student’s file, according to the letter. Mrs Johnson-Walker signs the letter off: “Every parent wants the school they select for their children to have a safe and disciplined approach, and this is reflected in how a uniform is worn. We are always here for your child, I need you to now be here for your school.

” SurreyLive has contacted The Winston Churchill School for comment. Get more news from SurreyLive straight to your inbox for free here..