This is an update to my original post on school uniform and road safety. After hearing from a parent in another part of the country who had found my page useful and is complaining to her local school, I’ve decided that it’s time to restart my campaign which I had begun before COVID.
I am publishing below the relevant text from my communication with the Government (via my MP) on this subject:
My original email, sent on 3rd February 2020 (pre-COVID):
“I’m concerned that my child’s school … requires black/navy coats and bags as part of school uniform policy. The children also wear black trousers and shoes. I think this makes it harder for the children to be seen by drivers and increases their risk of being involved in road accidents. I don’t think (the school’s) uniform policy is unusual – I know that some other local schools also require dark coats and bags, and I think this is probably common amongst schools across the UK.
The Highway Code says “Help other users to see you. Wear or carry something light-coloured, bright or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions.” School uniform policies are making it difficult for children to follow the Highway Code’s advice. Many families will not buy their children more than one winter coat, so the dark coat will be worn by children not only on school days but on weekends and holidays too. I’m aware that hi-vis jackets can be worn over coats, but I think teenagers are unlikely to wear those.
I think it would be good if the Government could issue some guidance to schools to say that children should be encouraged to have bright coats and bags. I would be very grateful if you could ask the relevant Government minister to make a statement on this subject.”
Reply from Nick Gibb MP dated 24th February 2020:
“I am replying as the Minister of State for School Standards. As you may be aware, it is for the governing body of a school, or academy trust in the case of academies, to decide their school’s uniform policy. The Department has published non-statutory guidance on school uniform to help support schools when developing their policy.
While the non-statutory guidance on school uniform does not explicitly state that governing bodies should take the visibility of children travelling to and from school into account when formulating their uniform policy, it does not prohibit them from doing so should they feel that it is a valuable consideration given their specific circumstances. As school uniform is set by the school’s governing body, Ms Lynes may Wish to share her thoughts about the visibility of her child’s uniform with her child’s school in the first instance.
Our guidance on school uniform recommends that when making changes to their policies, school leaders should take into account the views of parents and pupils. The guidance is available at: tinyurl.com/PQcLGkh.”
My response to the Government, sent on 24th September 2021 (delayed as I chose not to write during the emergency COVID restriction period):
“Mr Gibb has suggested that I contact my child’s school to make them aware of my views on their uniform policy. However, I think the issue of school uniform and road safety is a national issue and so it would be more appropriate and effective for the Government to consider taking action nationally. This is definitely not an isolated local issue. I have previously been told by Bright Kidz that “every now and then this has been an issue raised in the press by parents of a particular school.” Since blogging about this subject in May, I have actually been contacted by a parent from … who is complaining to her child’s school.
I can’t see any reason why this should be a locally determined issue requiring parents to run campaigns around the country. Surely there is road traffic and darkness everywhere? The Government could immediately solve the problem for all by issuing some guidance to schools to say that they should not discourage children from wearing bright coats and bags. I believe this simple measure would save children’s lives.
I think that leaving this for local negotiation can only exacerbate existing inequalities. I would expect that parents in more affluent areas are more likely to run local campaigns. Meanwhile I’m concerned that the risks of wearing dark clothes at dusk may be greater for black and Asian children, who are more likely to live in deprived areas.
On this basis I would like to ask the Government if they would consider taking national action by issuing guidelines to the effect that schools should allow bright coats and bags.
I would be very grateful if you could forward this email to the relevant Government minister.”
I will provide an update on this site as and when I receive a response.
Please get in touch if you are concerned about this issue. I am always interested in collaboration and would love to hear from you.
Hi Hannah
I’m glad to see someone talking about this issue.
My kids go to Cardiff High School and the uniform is all black with a dark coat. It seems ridiculous all these kids barely visible during these winter months.
I doubt the school will change the policy until a kid gets hit by a car.
I fully support you in this campaign.
Hi Sue. Thanks for getting in touch. Maybe we should get together and plan the next steps for this campaign. I haven’t really made any progress with lately so it would be good to reinvigorate it.
Hi Hannah
I have a son moving to secondary in September and he will be walking to and from school. The school that he is most likely to get into (we will hear on Friday) asks for ‘a coat of discreet colour and a plain bag’.
This concerns me and led me to search and I found your campaign for which I am grateful.
I agree that it is a national safety issue and goes beyond individual school policy.
I will start by asking the school about it once it has been named as his school.
I think reflective coats can be plain and are reasonably discreet when not in the headlights, so perhaps that will be acceptable.
Let’s see what they say.
I could then write to my MP as well.
Best wishes
Tal
Hi Tal. Since I wrote this post, the Government has issued new guidance on school uniforms https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform/school-uniforms. The guidance says that school governing boards should “ensure that their uniform is suitable and safe for pupils who walk or cycle to school, for instance, by allowing pupils to wear a coat which they could be visible in when it is dark going home”. This might be helpful if you want to raise this issue with the school. Please share here how you get on if you decide to contact the school and/or your MP.
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing this information.
Currently trying to encourage some of the schools in my area of Preston to change their policies on this, as they are stuck in the black / navy dark ages. An uphill struggle and despite the new government guidelines they seem to think that they know better and “smart” looking children somehow make them a better school…
It’s frustrating that schools aren’t following the guidance. I might try to work out how widespread this is, because if schools across the country are ignoring the guidance then perhaps we should be making the government aware. Good luck with your campaign in Preston.
Thanks Hannah.
Despite highlighting the DFE guidelines I’ve had the below reply and I think it is totally unrealistic of them to be suggesting bands etc. Also, there are before and after school clubs so the comments about daylight are simply untrue.
I might come back to them saying that I’ll escalate to Council / Diocese – wondered if you’ve any ideas on next steps?
Email:
Dear Ms Mayes,
Apologies for the delay in response to your previous email.
I have spoken at length with our leadership team regarding your concerns. As you are not listed as a contact for any of our pupils currently on roll I am unable to discuss individual cases with you. However, I can respond more broadly to explain our stance on your areas of concern.
Whilst we appreciate your concerns, our school uniform policy, specifically relating to coats and/jackets will not change. This is a long standing policy and we do not feel that this needs to be amended at this time. Looking specifically at timings of the school day, you will be aware that our school day begins and ends after sunrise and well before sunset on every day of the academic year meaning occasions where pupils have to travel to school in darkness are rare.
We will as always discuss with pupils in our regular safeguarding assemblies which will be delivered by our Designated Safeguarding Leader about the importance of commuting to school safely and sensibly. Pupils are also free to wear any ‘hi-vis’ clothing or straps in addition to their uniform if families are concerned. A number of our pupils for whom this is the case have coats, bags and shoes with reflective areas to also highlight pupils to traffic during poor light.
As pupils’ safety is always our number one priority we will continue to closely monitor this in the future.
If you did have any changes to your availability, I would always welcome the opportunity to discuss this further in a meeting or telephone conversation.
Regards
Hi Marg,
That’s frustrating, and I don’t think the point about pupils generally getting home in daylight really answers the safety concern. Most families are only going to buy their child one everyday winter coat, so if the school requires that coat to be dark, that is also likely to be what the child wears at other times when they are out after dark.
I think I’d now take it beyond the person you’ve been corresponding with and ask the governing body or academy trust to review the policy against the current DfE school uniform guidance, specifically the guidance about visibility and safety.
As you’re raising this as a member of the public rather than a parent of a child at the school, I’d probably frame it as a request for a policy review and check the school’s published complaints/governance procedure to see what formal route is open to you.
Do let me know what they say.
Thank you Hannah. I’ll let you know.
As they’ve said that it’s been discussed amongst the senior leadership team, I’m a bit unsure whether that involves the governors, but perhaps I should explore that before going to Diocese (Catholic school) or Local Council.
I’ll keep uou updated.