|
Pride in uniform
• THE reason why Highbury Grove changed its uniform, as far as I understand it, is because the pupils wanted the change (We work hard to ease pain of kitting out school pupils, August 14).
The school is rightly proud that the pupils took an interest in choosing a blazer that looked smart and reflected similar values to the schools where middle-class parents send their children. I would argue that making your child go to school in a £10 blazer from Asda, when they would prefer to look smart, suggests parents don’t appreciate the deeper reasons behind the choice.
This is especially true for schools like Highbury Grove, which needs all the support it can get as it steadily improves. At the moment pupils are embarrassed by the school’s reputation and feel bad about themselves for attending a school other children say is “bad”.
We as parents need to reinforce the view that Highbury Grove is on the up and that the new uniform and new school building show we are doing all we can to change this perception.
Children deserve to feel proud of their school as this will help them become proud of themselves. It’s bad enough that there is such a social divide in education. We should support efforts to minimise the effect on our children.
EMER BRIZZOLARA
Sach Road, E5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|