PARENTS are outraged at a secondary school teacher who allegedly compared girls to prostitutes amid an ongoing uniform row.
When Burnley High School, Lancashire, announced a sudden ban on wearing socks with skirts, some parents suspected there was a secret – shocking – reason behind it.
A letter announced the controversial change at the end of last term but as the new year approaches mums and dads are fuming more than ever.
As of September 5, girls must wear tights instead of socks if they wish to wear a skirt according to the latest rules.
The school blamed the bizarre ban on the price of clothing, suggesting tights are more “cost-effective”, as families across the UK feel the crunch of the cost of living crisis.
But furious parents had heard another rumoured reason for the uniform restriction.
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One claimed that a teacher at the school – where pupils are as young as 11 – commented that the girls looked “like prostitutes with skirts and knee-high socks”.
The parent insinuated that the school then implemented the strict sock ban as a direct result of the teacher‘s allegedly sexualising the pupils.
The anonymous parent told the Lancashire Telegraph: “The school tried to implement this last year, but parents were not happy, as they found out it was because one of the teachers said the girls looked like prostitutes with skirts and knee-high socks.
“We were outraged and said the school should not be implementing a no socks policy, but actually asking why a teacher automatically sees prostitutes when looking at schoolgirls.”
The allegations that a teacher referred to any of the schoolgirls as “prostitutes” is unfounded and has not been confirmed or denied by the school itself which has been approached for comment.
Yet the alleged sexualisation of children isn’t the only reason mums and dads are up in arms.
Another parent who wished to remain anonymous took issue with the school’s reasons for the uniform change.
They said: “It makes no sense and does not help with cost at all.
“Tights ladder very easily, also especially in warm weather, every girl will be suffering with thrush.”
Others on social media lashed out at the severity of the sock ban, with some outright refusing to obey the new rule that takes away kids’ choice.
One commenter on the local paper’s story urged, “Get all the girls to wear socks every day and don’t let them break you”, while another said, “This school uniform row is getting out of hand. Dictating what pupils can or cannot wear is definitely over the top.”
Some were sickened by the alleged prostitute comparison, saying: “Absolutely ridiculous. These are children!
“Why on earth is this teacher likening them to prostitutes? Girls should not be forced to wear tights especially in hot weather.”
The top comment on the website read: “Tale as old as time, children having to change the way they dress because adults can’t help but sexualise them.”
The school, which is run by the Education Partnership Trust, justified its decision in an end of term letter.
It stated: “Following government guidelines, we have reviewed our uniform policy this academic year to ensure it is as cost effective as possible for parents.
“This involved us arranging a provision of second-hand uniform which we can make available for purchase if needed.
“The uniform has remained unchanged since we first opened as a school, but our governors have agreed to change two aspects of the uniform policy to help with rising costs.
“These are allowing black OR purple socks for PE to help with costs, and black tights (minimum 50 denier) only with skirts.
“Knee socks are no longer part of our school uniform.
“This will mean uniform is more cost effective, as school can provide tights where needed at a cheaper cost than socks.
“We are always willing to help and work collaboratively with our families, so if you need support, please do not hesitate to contact us.
“Our in-house uniform store is available for short term loan of uniform to support our families, but I must stress that this is short-term only.”
The outcry from Burnley High follows a tension from parents outraged by paying up to £200 for school uniforms – with girls’ costing more than boys’.
Female pupils will be charged £200 for new branded kit at South Nottinghamshire Academy in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Notts., while boys must pay £160.
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Another school came under fire after a strict headteacher changed children’s school uniform four weeks into the new term.
Heworth Grange School in Gateshead sent out letters telling parents the new £8.99 polo shirts with the school logos they bought during the summer holidays were being replaced by plain white shirts and tie.
