by Gary Skentelbery
A WARRINGTON Head Teacher has defended her decision to bring in controversial new school uniforms despite a storm of protest from pupils and parents.
Pupils at Lymm High School have already staged sit down protests against the proposals which have been drawn up by the school's new head teacher Angela Walsh, (pictured) who joined the school last September and some are now threatening to boycott the new uniforms.
But Miss Walsh said:"There have been many concerns about the standard and presentation of our uniform for many years.
"As a school we have decided to do something about it. At the same time this also gives us an opportunity to review our public identity to ensure that it reflects our position as a successful school.
"All organisations do this from time to time. We are now in the process of consulting widely amongst all our stakeholders to consider any issues concerning quality, cost and variants in style. We aim to introduce an upgraded version which recognises the traditions of Lymm whilst capturing our unique identity as a successful school."
She said parents and pupils pass on their views at www.lymmhigh.blogspot.com
Several hundred pupils have signed a protest petition while parents have been writing letters of objection to the Head Teacher and school governors.
Parents claim they were not properly consulted, with a meeting to discuss the proposals taking place during the working day. Others are complaining that the school is creating a "monoply" by only having the school shop as an exclusive point of sale. The school say no decision has been made on the supplier.
In a letter to parents Miss Walsh says the current uniform is of poor quality and not worn properly with too many different variations. She also says any family facing financial difficulties will be "fully supported."
Take part in our online poll at CLICK HERE
Pupils at Lymm High School have already staged sit down protests against the proposals which have been drawn up by the school's new head teacher Angela Walsh, (pictured) who joined the school last September and some are now threatening to boycott the new uniforms.
But Miss Walsh said:"There have been many concerns about the standard and presentation of our uniform for many years.
"As a school we have decided to do something about it. At the same time this also gives us an opportunity to review our public identity to ensure that it reflects our position as a successful school.
"All organisations do this from time to time. We are now in the process of consulting widely amongst all our stakeholders to consider any issues concerning quality, cost and variants in style. We aim to introduce an upgraded version which recognises the traditions of Lymm whilst capturing our unique identity as a successful school."
She said parents and pupils pass on their views at www.lymmhigh.blogspot.com
Several hundred pupils have signed a protest petition while parents have been writing letters of objection to the Head Teacher and school governors.
Parents claim they were not properly consulted, with a meeting to discuss the proposals taking place during the working day. Others are complaining that the school is creating a "monoply" by only having the school shop as an exclusive point of sale. The school say no decision has been made on the supplier.
In a letter to parents Miss Walsh says the current uniform is of poor quality and not worn properly with too many different variations. She also says any family facing financial difficulties will be "fully supported."
Take part in our online poll at CLICK HERE
Related Articles
Related Links
Share this article
| Tweet |
27 Responses to "Head defends new uniform decision" 
|
said this on 18 Jun 2009 7:30:47 AM UTC
I like the bit where it says "the current uniform is not worn properly".
Perhaps she should concentrate on that aspect, rather than alienate parents and pupils.
|
Author)|
said this on 18 Jun 2009 10:47:28 AM UTC
Why can't the pupils and parents just respect the headmistress' rules. She's in charge and has the right to change any aspect of the school. The lack of respect for authority in todays society is one of its downfalls. The attitude of "I don't like it so I'm not going to do it" needs to change.
|
|
said this on 18 Jun 2009 8:03:34 PM UTC
I thought the Board of Governors are also in charge (in some circumstances to a higher degree than the Headteacher). Their approval has to be gained before any changes can be implemented unless of course they are the ones requesting the change !! The new headmistress seems to be taking all the flack for something that was decided even before she was appointed.
To accuse parents and pupils who are against the change of uniform, for whatever reason, of 'having a lack of respect for authority' and also to have an 'I don't like it so I'm not doing it' attitiude is a little bit shallow especially as most parents have already forked out to buy the current uniform.
What would happen if all those against the new uniform change just continued to send their kids to school in their existing uniforms... would they all be expelled :) :)
Any new uniform should be brought in slowly with each new year intake (OK so I've said it again but there are aound 2000 pupils at Lymm High School). It should also be a colour and style that that is available to buy elsewhere with ties and blazers being unique.
I agree that ANY uniform regardless of it's colour, quality, design or cost can be worn smartly.... just as the exactly the same ones can look sloppy and cheap if the kids aren’t made to wear them correctly…. A point that Peter T made earlier !!!!
At the end of the day a compromise needs to be found and quickly before Lymm High becomes talked about as the school with the uniform revolt rather than the outstanding educational establishment that it currently is !
|
|
said this on 24 Jun 2009 11:31:41 PM UTC
The previous head was extremely well-liked and any replacement would be in the firing line over any changes. The Governors have openly stated that they were looking for a candidate to develop this outstanding school still further and they discussed a uniform change with all shortlisted candidates. Perhaps Miss Walsh gained the impression that parents and pupils were also in favour. She's certainly not being given a fair chance now. Any effort she makes is criticised and she's being accused of all sorts without evidence. This business of editing the blog - it's not in her interests, is it? It's bound to be shouted all over town if she does - she might as well draw a target on her back and hand out loaded rifles. People are having trouble posting to it - well they're having trouble joining the Forum on this site too, so does that mean Miss Walsh is in charge here? Does it heck! It means the technology is a bit wonky, or there's more traffic than expected or they're doing it wrong. Can't we all accept that any offence caused was not intentional and try to restore communications, instead of accusing people of taking backhanders to promote new blazers? The day Sheila Woodyatt is within a mile of anything like that, Satan will be able ski right into his office and get one of his imps to nip to the Vatican gift shop for a box of condoms with the Pope's face on them!!
|
|
said this on 18 Jun 2009 1:08:03 PM UTC
Firstly watch out as not all comments appear in the school blog - Some careful editing is going on.
Despite all the protest over costs and the actual need for change it appears Miss Walsh is to go ahead with
het intended new "red" uniform. It is clear that the only issues she wishes to "consult" on is the cost and quantity of the new uniform.
Major organisation do NOT rebrand at a great cost in times of a credit crunch, most sensible organisations try and cut back.
She might have a new job and car, abut will she help out 2,000 parents, we don't all have the money for a new uniform.
|
|
said this on 18 Jun 2009 9:31:20 PM UTC
Never mind about the pupils uniform - I think Ms Walsh needs to sort out her own appearance, judging from the photo...
|
|
said this on 19 Jun 2009 9:06:14 AM UTC
B.Magoo your comments are unjust.
Miss Walsh is a new head teacher at Lymm High School, since starting at her new position there has been a lot of upset with the school with parents, children and even staff. I personally know staff members whom have been teaching at the school who have resigned.
Just because you are a head teacher does not make you a dictator, this is not a Communist country.
The new three styles of uniform are suitable for the children of Lymm High School.
It would be a lot better if Miss Walsh stopped trying to change this to suit herself, there are lots of important things in the school which do need addressing why not look into them first.
|
|
said this on 19 Jun 2009 9:23:36 AM UTC
Guess the new uniform that will be "selected" will be the red one - Miss Walsh's favourite and only colour. Red that is how angry the parents are.. She certainly has review the schools public identity BADLY !!
|
|
said this on 19 Jun 2009 3:29:42 PM UTC
I am dismayed by the tone of the reporting of this proposed change in school uniform. As a parent I am aware that the governors have been discusing this issue for at least 3 years. The decsion to proceed was delayed until a new head was appointed (probably because it was such a hot topic). I can be certain that getting agreement from around 2000 pupils and there parents over a change is an unlikely prospect and I think the school govenors and head are correct to make a decision now. I am not sure why Lymm Life has taken such an unbalanced view. There is always ruffled feathers when there is a change in leadership at an organisation and in a school the size of Lymm High there is always a number of teachers leaving to further their careers. I would prefer Lymm Life to encourage a more mature and constructive debate than to fan the flames of the ill informed as was evident in your latest issue. I also feel there is an underlying level of sexism in the debate which is quite worrying, I am not sure that a male head would have received this sort of response.
I remain anonimous as there is an element in Lymm that thinks vandalism is the way to win an arguement. I did not see Lymm Life condem this sort of action.
|
|
said this on 19 Jun 2009 4:08:14 PM UTC
AS I fully explained in my Editor's comment the school failed to respond to a number of calls for their side of the argument.
We can only report facts as we have them.
As soon as the Head Teacher's response arrived (one week after it was requested) we have given her side of the story - which is actually the article you have commented under - so not exactly sure why you are accusing us of unbalanced reporting?
The people campaigning against the new uniforms are mainly girls and mums, so I am also a little confused by the sexism remark.
In my opinion all this heated debate could have been avoided if the school had responded promptly to our calls and to the concerns of many parents and pupils.
Those campaigning against the changes far outweigh those in favour by around 10-1.
|
|
said this on 20 Jun 2009 11:26:41 AM UTC
I think a reply within the week is acceptable. The Head of a school is a very busy person. Do you expect the head to arrange school life around you publishing deadlines? Why did the May Queen not get front page coverage instead of a bunch of scruffy discontents?
you say that 10 to 1 are opposed to the change yet I would expect, as ever, the majority view is silent. A uniform is a uniform after all whether its black blue or green and children as ever will object to wearing it.
|
|
said this on 22 Jun 2009 8:59:02 AM UTC
If you wish to contact me directly I am quite happy to explain my comments in full.
You can email me directly at garys@warrington-worldwide.co.uk and you will have my full response within one working day - probably within a matter of hours- no matter how busy I am as I realise how important this issue is to a lot of people.
|
|
said this on 22 Jun 2009 11:31:11 AM UTC
Your implicit critisim of the schools response times in your answer is evident throughout your reporting on this issue, yet another example of Lymm Life's negative tone. You fail to admit that your online survey has managed to raise very few reponses and around half of those are not bothered either way. You fail to accept that most parents support the school and will continue to do so by following the unifrom policy as best they can whatever that may be. I really think you have got this one very wrong by promoting the voices of the awkward squad. There may be a few teenage girls who object to wearing what they are told, and there may be a few parents who are happy to pander to their whims, is there anything new in that? ( I have a teenage daughter and I KNOW how difficult it is to get her to wear her uniform correctly, a change to a pleated skirt appals her because it will limit her ability to customise it, I am silently pleased by it as it reduces her options to succesfully shortern it, although I would not be so undiplomatic as to admit this to her)
Please can you reward with publicity those who try to make a positive contribution to our community and not those who are only too quick to criticise and resist change.
|
|
said this on 22 Jun 2009 11:48:15 AM UTC
Please pick up the phone or email me so you can get the facts!
If you are a regular reader of Lymm Life you will know we mainly focus on those who contribute to the community, including numerous positive articles on Lymm High School.
I am sure if I can find the time to respond to every reader who contacts us on this issue the head teacher of Lymm high School can find the time to respond to her local magazine in the space of a week. Very often we are only given 24 hours notice of attending events at the school but do our very best to provide positive comments.
|
|
said this on 25 Jun 2009 12:29:41 AM UTC
I can't honestly tell whether your tone towards the Head is indicative of any prejudice or just peeved because she didn't prioritise you. What I do think is that your editorial piece can certainly be read as "anti" by those looking for support. Your article mentioned the school had not commented - was it really necessary to repeat that and make it the opening statement of the issue? And how can you say complainers outweigh supporters 10 to 1 when your own online poll currently shows 50% against the uniform and 50% split between in favour and don't care? Not that I believe you should be running a poll on this at all.
|
|
said this on 25 Jun 2009 9:29:08 AM UTC
I have no prejudice - I can only state facts as I receive them - whether it be from head teachers, school governors, parents, teachers or pupils.
I can say I have been hearing a lot of unrest regarding the situation at Lymm High School for at least six months - not just from pupils, but parents and most importantly teachers.
Ok I know people don't like change but I can only report the facts as I receive them. I do not take sides - I report on local issues. The school is now corresponding with me and I am giving their comments equal coverage to what has gone before.
The next issue of Lymm Life will report the school's latest decision in full.
Finally lets face facts - the vast majority of people remain silent whether they are for or against something because they tend to believe that whatever they feel their voice will not be heard - it is exactly the same situation in local and national government.
|
|
said this on 01 Jul 2009 11:00:57 AM UTC
I find it had to believe that you state you have no prejudice and you do not take sides. The language you choose to use is negative in every way. It is this blazen lack of objectivity that is creating the "storm" . However, we all know that controversy drives traffic through your web site and more traffic will result in more revenue to you from your online sponsors. Would it be wrong to suspect that when finances get tough you can knock the local school and reap the rewards? I only state the facts as I see them said the one eyed man! What are you doing with the additional reveue this has created - giving it to the PTA?
|
|
said this on 01 Jul 2009 12:10:13 PM UTC
What utter tosh Wolfie!!!
The additional traffic doesn't generate a single extra penny revenue.
I have written hundreds of positive stories surrounding the school over the past 10 years including giving the new head teacher front page coverage when they got their last outstanding Ofsted report!
|
|
said this on 20 Jun 2009 3:33:36 PM UTC
I think the comment that Lymm Life has given an unbalanced view is quite unfair - Ms Walsh was asked to comment on several occasions and declined to respond. Her lack of response to legitimate concerns from parents, students and teachers throughout has inflamed this issue (- I am yet to receive a response to the letter I sent her myself). Petitioning and peaceful protest are not the same as vanadlism and the comment about "an underlying level of sexism" is nonsense.
|
|
said this on 21 Jun 2009 8:37:21 AM UTC
Re sexism - please see comment from Parent "hope she will be wearing longer skirts in future" do you think parents would be commenting on the cut of the suit of a male head?
I think the comment that Lymm Life is unbalance is quite fair. The head did respond within the week, the editor admitted this. There is other business in a busy school which should be more important than the actions of the discontented few.
My child has told me that this bunch asked the head if they all wore the existing uniform correctly for a month would they be able to keep it. The head agreed but very few of the pupils bothered to improve. How fair do you have to be?
|
|
said this on 20 Jun 2009 8:12:03 PM UTC
I note Miss Walsh thinks she has "consulted widely". I do not consider a parents meeting held at 11am on a working day meets this standard. The children were allowed to vote on their favourite of 3 possible uniforms. There was no option to retain the existing uniform (with improvements if necessary). The children had no opportunity to discuss their ideas with their parents before voting and were forbidden from spoiling their ballot papers in protest. Looking at the photo above, I would hope she will be wearing longer skirts in future to lead by example!
|
|
said this on 22 Jun 2009 11:08:45 AM UTC
red and black, red and black we are all to be clones Miss Walsh.
What are the govenors doing, I suppose thay have to support her as they voted her in.
The school hours are to change, this will force the closure of some school clubs at dinner times.
Changing the school halls is next, David Jone chair of school govenors sates ".. Lunchtime provision and the hall system are part of an overall review of how the school is run and will be addressed in future!"
Having had the teaching unions in twice, signs are not good at this school.
|
|
said this on 22 Jun 2009 7:58:10 PM UTC
I see the that the school has taken the blog off-line. Yet another example of how open and transparent this "consultation" has been. Why take it down unless you have something to hide ?
|
|
said this on 25 Jun 2009 9:30:40 AM UTC
Apparently this was because the consultation period had ended
|
|
said this on 23 Jun 2009 3:51:52 PM UTC
Is it true that the shifts in meal times is to facilitate a drastic increase in the pupil population of Lymm - or are these rumours?
|
|
said this on 24 Jun 2009 1:40:27 PM UTC
My children are long gone from Lymm High but I have picked up the gossip in the village. From my days in management it was only a fool that did not dig deeper into the root cause of what on the surface seemed to be a trivial dispute. In fact one or two replies to Lymm Life touch on the wider issues. On a topical note, will the new uniform be in Helen Southworth red, with pension to fit. If so parents should jump at the opportunity presented.
|
|
said this on 25 Jun 2009 12:57:00 PM UTC
i belive the change in the uniform is absolutely dispicable. as the year got sent to an assembley and was told we did have a choice in the uniform by voting for it but miss walsh never gave us the option of keeping the old uniform or letting us know she was going to change instead of changing the uniform she needs to keep an eye on the pupils who are not wearing the uniform properly and not putting the whole school in one boat.
|
