School confiscates winter coats

Children at a secondary school in Kent had their coats confiscated in freezing conditions because they were not wearing regulation uniform.

Students at Aylesford School Sports College who were not wearing the school coat were told to hand their own in and to collect them at the end of the day.

Some students objected and left the school grounds.

Head teacher Doug Lawson said: "We sent a reminder letter out which outlined our expectations with our uniform."

Joe Wilson, a pupil at the school, said: "You had to line up and take your coat off and they took it away and labelled it and you weren't allowed to collect it until the end of school."

Not a lot of families who come to this school have the money to buy them

Charlotte Ankers, pupil

Adele Ankers, whose daughter Charlotte attends the school said: "I'm disgusted. I don't know why she should suffer through the school's mentality of what coat she wears to school."

The students at the school have the option of wearing a reversible jacket costing between £21 and £26, or a fleece which costs £12, both of which have the school logo on.

Charlotte Ankers, who went home rather than handing her coat into the school, said: "I'm missing out on lessons and education. Not a lot of families who come to this school have the money to buy them (coats)."

In a statement Mr Lawson said: "There was a small minority of students who did not wear the correct coat. We have not excluded or sent any child home.

"The uniform was decided upon after lengthy consultations with students and parents, the parents' views being of particular importance. "