School drives pupils to shop to buy shoes

Parents of pupils at BBG Academy in Birkenshaw have claimed their children had been taken to Wynsor’s World of Shoes by the school after breaking uniform rules.

One parent, who has children in years seven and nine at the school, said: “I thought it was a joke until I received a call saying they would take my son for some new shoes and I could pay later.

“The lady I spoke to from school seemed quite excited at the fact they were getting 10 percent discount because they had bought so many pairs.”

She claimed there were around 75 pupils in isolation for uniform breaches.

Another parent said: “The school ran a minibus to Wynsor’s World of Shoes last week. If children don’t have their top button done, they get put in isolation.”

A spokeswoman for the school said: “The number of pupils quoted as ‘75’ in isolation is a gross exaggeration. The school provided support for a small number of pupils to enable them to follow the uniform policy.”

The school did not confirm how many shoes were purchased.

This is believed to be part of the school’s new positive discipline plan, brought in to tackle bad behaviour highlighted in an Ofsted report on the school.

The spokeswoman said: “Our new Positive Discipline policy has had a significant impact on behaviour in lessons and around school creating a calm and positive learning environment. The vast majority of pupils and parents have been extremely supportive during this transitional period.”