Fury as school lines girls up to measure skirts 'for hours' in 'degrading' first week back
A parent says Ryde Academy's new uniform rule is 'degrading' but the school insists parents had plenty of warning.
A school lined up girls and measured the length of their skirts in the first week back, it has been claimed.
Staff at Ryde Academy on the Isle of Wight allegedly made more than 70 girls wait two hours as they checked compliance with the school's uniform policy.
Girls whose skirts were considered as breaking the rules were then sent home, but the school insists it had been clear about what was expected with parents warned over the summer.
However, some parents have responded by claiming it can be hard to find skirts which are long enough.
A parent, who didn't want to be named, said it wasn't possible to find a skirt suitable for those who are taller.
She said: "We bought the right skirts, but it is a policy you can't comply with because you can't get one that long.
"So basically they were being judged on their body shape and size and it's kind of pointing out to them you don't fit into the clothes you can buy in the shops and that's not what teenage girls need."
The parent said she agreed with the new policy, but its introduction had been handled in the wrong way.
She explained: "[It] sends the wrong message and is degrading."
School staff have also been accused of pulling pupils up for having PE tops which are too tight and wearing crew neck instead of V neck jumpers.
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Pupils' mobile phones are also being placed inside lockable pouches which can only be accessed at the end of the school day.
A spokesperson for Ryde Academy said the school has been very clear about expectations on uniform and shared these with families multiple times over the summer term, including through newsletters, video explainers and parent drop-in sessions.
They added: "Our policy on jumpers is unchanged and we expect our students to turn up every day in the right uniform.
"We want students to be able to focus on learning and having fun with friends without the distraction of smart phones and constant notifications that come with them.
"As such we have provided every student with a secure pouch to carry their phone in, which is unlocked at the end of the school day. Schools right across the country have introduced the same approach for the same reasons.
"It's been a hugely positive start to the new year and we look forward to seeing our wonderful community go from strength to strength."
