Parent labels City of London Academy Highbury Grove’s uniform policy ‘farcical’ after daughter sent home

Daniel Culver’s daughter arrived at school on Friday to begin her Year 13 studies, but was told she needed to be carrying a rucksack with City of London Academy Highbury Grove branding on it. Her coat was also against regulations because it did not have the logo and name.

Last week saw the beginning of life at Highbury Grove under the stewardship of the City of London Academy Trust, which took over the reins after a bleak Ofsted left the secondary in special measures in February.

Daniel told the Gazette students were lined up and inspected before entering the school, with several falling foul of the school’s uniform policy or being told their hairstyles weren’t allowed.

“My daughter is a good student who has been at the school a lot longer than the academy trust,” he said, “but she was turned away for the sake of a school badge. Surely her education is more important than a badge?”

The sixth former then discovered over the weekend that Rough Cut Casuals – the uniform shop in Chapel Market where you can buy the branded kit – had run out of the bag she needed.

Daniel added: “My daughter was allowed back into school on Monday, but she didn’t have the timetable she should have received on Friday. It’s been an upsetting experience for her. The situation is ridiculous.”

Parents at Highbury Grove were told about the school’s uniform policy for this term in June. The policy – which parents signed and returned to the school – makes it clear the academy rucksack and “outdoor coat” are compulsory and states: “If students are not in full uniform, they will not be able to attend lessons”.

An academy spokesman said: “We are committed to the students in the school meeting the highest standards which includes being properly prepared.

“We know this is an essential part of developing a high-expectation school culture, which drives improvement and attainment.”