School uniform suppliers called into academy to enforce girls’ skirt lengths

Great Yarmouth Charter Academy.Picture; David Hannant (Image: Archant)

Two members of staff from Great Yarmouth-based school uniform supplier Harrisons Schoolwear were called to the town's Charter Academy on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the shop in Southtown Road said staff identified a handful of students who were flouting the rules, using hair bobbles and elastic bands to raise their skirts which should be knee length.

The girls were told the regulation grey skirt should sit on the hips and be knee-length in line with the school's uniform policy.

The spokesman said: 'We were called in by the school to check the lengths of some of the girls' skirts because some of them are rolling them up. Their policy is for knee length.

'We work with the schools and if the schools want us we are there. We are there to back the schools because we are their stockists, we are working with them.'

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One mother said: 'I think it's a joke. You'd think they'd have more important things to do than waste time checking children's uniforms. Great use of tax-payers' money.'

Another said: 'Apparently they are (checking) and today they are checking the males. Doesn't it all seem extreme, why can't any pair of grey trousers be accepted like in an office or university? No job makes you buy from a specific place it's all so controlling.'

A post on Facebook said: 'So today 2x ladies from Harrison's uniform shop were in and (Mr)Smith was saying all skirts and trousers have to be from Harrisons and will be put on the site soon. The Harrisons ladies then inspected all skirts with a teacher. Not best pleased that outside people are inspecting my daughter's uniform.'

A spokesman for the Inspiration Trust, the academy chain behind Charter, said: 'Great Yarmouth Charter Academy held assemblies to remind pupils of the school's uniform policy, and to introduce pupils to staff from the school's uniform supplier, Harrisons.

'Some pupils were given advice on their uniform, particularly in relation to skirt length. No checks were made on where the uniform was purchased from.

'The school's uniform policy is clear that Harrisons are our preferred supplier but other suppliers are acceptable as long as the colour and style exactly match those of Harrisons.'

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