A mother has pulled her daughter out of a school amid controversy over uniform policies and a high rate of staff turnover. The school, Irlam and Cadishead Academy in Salford, previously required girls to wear knee-length black socks as part of their uniform.
However, this year the school switched to ankle socks, a change that the mother, Wendy Allsopp, claims was poorly communicated to parents. The school says the change was made in response to requests from a large number of female students and that parents were notified through letters and the parent handbook.
Wendy argues that the longer socks looked smarter and that the new options, such as tights or trousers, can be impractical in warmer weather. She also questions the process by which the change was made, citing conflicting stories about how it came about.
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Her daughter, Olivia, was one of the students who appeared in the school’s open evening poster displaying the original uniform. Wendy said: “We’ve had mixed stories as to how this change even came about.”
“Olivia was told two girls in her year were told that if they got more than 100 signatures on a petition, they would be allowed to wear the ankle socks. If that’s the case there are 360 female students at that school, so it’s not a majority by any stretch of the imagination.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
“The school is saying it was their Student Voices who made the decision. Either way, it’s not the way you decide a change to the uniform policy. Parents need to be properly consulted.”
A concerned mother voiced her anxiety about ankle socks, explaining: “It’s the fact they haven’t considered that you’ve got young girls aged 11 to 16 walking to and from school literally exposed from above the knee to their ankles early in the morning. These girls need to be protected.”
She highlighted the plight of younger pupils, remarking: “You’re also going to have new starters in Year 7 feeling pressured into shaving their legs and probably cutting themselves.”
However, Wendy has concerns about the school’s environment that stretch beyond just the dress code issues.
With a significant number of staff leaving since the new headteacher took charge in September 2023, her daughter Olivia’s sense of stability has been rocked, Wendy lamented. “This has been building for a while with Olivia,” said Wendy, a mother of five with older children who previously attended the same institution.
(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
“Her form teacher was a French teacher too and now all three French teachers have gone. She was supposed to be going on a trip to Paris in October and a science teacher has had to take over running that.”
“So many good, experienced teachers have left, some of whom had been there for 20 years. Olivia is without a doubt a model student, she was top of her year group in two key subjects, she was performing academically way above the other students in her year. She has represented the school numerous times, particularly for Shakespeare in Schools and was always the child teachers knew they could rely on.”
Earlier this year, the academy scored a ‘Good’ from Ofsted inspectors who were impressed by the ‘high expectations’, ‘calm atmosphere’, and significant improvements seen at the school. According to reports by the Manchester Evening News, staff and pupils feel that behaviour has vastly improved, creating fewer disruptions during classes.
Described as a harmonious and tight-knit community, the school sees students enjoying ‘strong relationships’ with their teachers and sensing a secure environment. It is observed that kids are respectful, well-mannered, and driven, with the school’s aptitude for instilling self-confidence being credited for these traits.
Nevertheless, despite the outstanding Ofsted report, Wendy has decided to deregister Olivia, securing her a spot at UTC Media City in Salford Quays. The college’s dress code requires a UTC polo and hoodie with various options for black trousers or skirts and shoes.
United Learning Trust, which the academy is part of, has affirmed that since September 2023, it has seen the departure of 10 full-time educators along with eight others who were either part-time instructors or held administrative roles.
A spokesperson for Irlam and Cadishead Academy mentioned: “The minor change around uniform was made at the request of a large number of female students and trialled during the previous academic year. The updated policy was communicated to parents before the summer holiday through both letters and the Parent Handbook along with a reminder that students are also able to wear tights or trousers.”
“Almost all students wore the correct uniform on the first day of term with over a week’s grace period given and uniform provided to any students who did not have the right item. No students have complained to the academy about this change.”
Further adding, “Like any school, there is natural movement of staff and over the past year, staff have left the academy for a number of reasons including retirement, choosing to work closer to home and promotions at other schools.
“We have a full team of excellent staff at the academy with subject specialists teaching a broad and wide-ranging curriculum. We are fortunate to have a community of very supportive parents who are working with us as we continue to drive standards and build on our recent Good Ofsted judgement.”