It has been decided that Cheney School will introduce a compulsory blazer as part of its uniform from September.

The rationale for this is that wearing a blazer will raise student aspirations.

In reaching this decision, the Department for Education’s guidance on uniform and related policies has been ignored.

This states that “a governing body should consult widely with current and future parents, as well as pupils, on changes to an established uniform policy. New uniform should be phased in, to avoid waste and unnecessary expense to parents. Schools should not introduce a uniform which is a lot more expensive than those in other local schools. The consultation process should be documented”.

There has been no wide consultation of parents, nor of the staff, who will have to enforce the new policy. The new uniform is not being phased in, thereby ensuring the highest possible level of waste.

It will cost four times more than the current uniform and be much more expensive than other local schools’ uniforms.

With no circulated documentation, no-one can gauge why and how this policy change was made, other than that it was “student choice”.

Parents who bought the existing uniform expected it to last for some years and should not have to buy another.

The headteacher has been asked to at least consider phasing in the new uniform.

In response, the headteacher has stated that students in Years Seven to 10 who lack a new uniform will not be allowed into school in September.

If you believe that it would be reasonable to phase in the uniform, or the introduction of a blazer as the compulsory item, I would ask you to contact the headteacher at Cheney School.

ANDREW PERKINS, Northfield Road, Headington, Oxford