Headteacher’s approach to uniform dubbed ‘authoritarian’

Aug 26 2010 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

PUPILS at a South Lanarkshire School were last week denied a break ... because they weren’t wearing blazers.

It happened on the first day of term at St John the Baptist Primary, Uddingston.

Earlier headteacher Christina Seagrave had divided pupils sitting in assembly between those in blazers and those without.

The blazer wearers were given an afternoon break as a reward.

Those without were kept in school, a council source told the Advertiser.

It is understood Mrs Seagrave had been trying to encourage blazer wearing among pupils.

However, some angry parents this week described the headteacher’s actions as “discriminatory” and “authoritarian”.

One said: “It’s a difficult thing to explain to your child why they’re being excluded from something.

“Some kids were crying because they were being kept inside.

“Mrs Seagrave has a very authoritarian, old-fashioned view about the way the school should be run. She’s a good headteacher, but always wants things done her way.”

Another parent said: “The school has a good reputation and I understand what she’s trying to do. However, she’s gone the wrong way about it.

“If my daughter had been treated in this way I wouldn’t have been happy.

“At the same time, I feel that some parents can afford a blazer for their child, but for whatever reason are choosing not to get one.”

Others took the view that given the changeable climate, blazers are not always the most useful item of clothing to wear to school.

“Uddingston is a fairly affluent area and the kids are nicely turned out. However, blazers aren’t the most practical thing to wear, and at a cost of perhaps between £20 to £30 they are more than some parents can afford.”

Another mum believed those children who hadn’t been wearing blazers had been “ostracised”.

She said: “My son had to read a book while the rest of his class went out to play.

“He was wearing school uniform, but didn’t have a blazer.

“He was the only one in his class who was not allowed to go outside.

“He was alright afterwards, but he’d been made to feel ashamed.

“I know other parents aren’t happy about the situation.”

And one parent commented: “If kids have a blazer and chose not to wear it at school I can understand teachers pointing that out. However, if kids do not own a blazer it’s not their fault. On this occasion they were being punished for an oversight of their parents and that’s not right.”

A statement from Mrs Seagrave issued by the council this week said: “In preparation for the new school year I sent a letter to all parents promoting the wearing of blazers to create a stronger sense of identity and further enhance the school ethos.

“On the first day of the new term I was encouraged by the response from parents and delighted to see so many pupils wearing blazers.

“To acknowledge this, and as an incentive to pupils to continue wearing blazers, I gave them the opportunity to enjoy an additional interval.

“All pupils in the school received their breaks and lunchtime as usual.”