Parents at Ryde Academy are up in arms after their children returned to school earlier this week only to be put in isolation on the first day of term following strict changes to the school’s uniform policy over the summer.
Year 7 and 11 students returned to the Pell Lane-based school on Wednesday, with Years 8, 9 and 10 returning today (Thursday). The school is now under the interim stewardship of William Doyle following the following the recent announcement that Joy Ballard has retired from teaching.
Island Echo understands that, over the summer, the school has made strict changes to the uniform policy, which has resulted in several students – some starting in Year 7 for the first time earlier this week – being put into isolation and handed detentions.
Students with skirts of an incorrect length and those wearing crew-necked and not V-necked jumpers – some of which take their GCSE’s this year – saw their parents called and asked to come into school to meet with staff, who explained their wish to see students turn up everyday in the ‘right’ uniform.
Among other changes, upon arriving at school students are to put their mobile phones in a lockable pouch and then place the pouch in their bag. At the end of the day they are then able to retrieve their phones from the pouch, however, the queue to do so come the home-time bell has resulted in some students missing school buses. If the pouches are damaged in any way, parents are expected to replace them – Island Echo understands.
Ryde Academy students also face reprimand for not having the correct school equipment and stationery.
One parent has told Island Echo:
“The Academy says that pupils must have a black V-neck jumper on just to move around the school.
Article continues below this advertisement “Myself and other parents have received tearful calls from distressed students.
“The current situation is reminiscent of issues during a previous era when a previous headteacher put half the school in the ‘on call’ room due to their uniform issues.”
A post published on the Ryde Academy Facebook page stressing the need to adhere the new uniform code was commented on by over 30 people, however, just 1 comment remains on the post, linking users to the school’s uniform shop. It’s thought comments have been deleted.
Despite some parents taking issue with the changes, Ryde Academy has stressed that they shared these plans with the school community at various points over the summer.
A spokesperson for Ryde Academy has said:
“We‘ve been very clear about expectations on uniform and have shared these with families multiple times over the summer term, including through newsletters, video explainers and parent drop in sessions. Our policy on jumpers is unchanged and we expect our students to turn up every day in the right uniform.
“We have also introduced a new approach to mobile phones in school. National survey data, which covered over 800 secondary schools who had banned phones, shows that 80% of secondary age students reported being happier not having their phones in school and on average, students were receiving nearly 500 notifications a day. 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.”
The school hit the headlines some 10 years ago when a previous headteacher isolated as many as 150 students during a summer-time uniform crackdown – as previously reported by Island Echo.
Why are parents in uproar,phones should be banned in schools,and if you want to put your child in a certain school,you abide by THEIR uniform rules,if not detention,the school is quite correct in doing this,you are there to learn,not have you face glued to a phone!
Don’t object to the phone issue but in hard financial times, a crew neck instead of V neck is hardly unacceptable .for cash strapped parents
The school is perfectly correct and if the “parents” don’t like the rules then take your brats somewhere else, I am not a prude but the dress of many of the female students in our island schools is frankly disgusting, i have 2 daughters and they both have more self respect than many of their fellow students.