Mum slams The Chase school's new mandatory blazer rule

Bea Pearce, whose son attends The Chase school in Malvern, is unhappy with the school's plan to bring in the blazer for all students by the year 2023.

Miss Pearce also claims other parents are unhappy too.

She said: "Every parent I have spoken to about this is totally against the new uniform change.

"We are a fairly low-income family anyway and this is just another expense of probably £40 - £50 that just seems unnecessary.

"At the rate my lad grows as well it just does not seem like a worthwhile purchase, especially when we still need to be getting the jumpers as well.

"Students already have to wear their school jumpers all year round and formally ask permission to take them off in the classrooms which is ridiculous."

The blazer prices have yet to be released as the final details are still being organised with the manufacturer, Monkhouse Schoolwear Specialists.

Miss Pearce says she believes the change in supplier also means she will have to travel to Worcester to buy the blazer.

Year 8-10 will need to have the blazers by September 2022, and the rest of the school entirely by 2023. 

Example of the blazers The Chase will use provided by Monkhouse.

A plain Chase Pullover is also available for students, yet that remains optional.

A spokeswoman from The Chase said: "Following a wholesale review of our school uniform, we have decided to implement various changes, including the introduction of a blazer. 

"Research has shown that blazers last longer than jumpers – along with the reduction in other branded uniform items this will reduce the cost to families over time.

"This will also aid in improving the standard of uniform worn by our students.

"We have decided to introduce blazers using a phased approach – from September 2022 Year 7 will be expected to wear a blazer, with the option to wear a jumper as well.

"While years 8-10 will have the option to wear a blazer and/or a jumper. From September 2023 blazers will be compulsory for all years."

The school also responded to the claims that children had to formally request to remove their jumpers.

A spokeswoman said: "Students have always been expected to ask permission from their class teacher to remove jumpers – we expect our students to wear their uniforms correctly and smartly at all times.

"In periods of prolonged hot weather, we advise that students do not need to wear jumpers – the same principle will apply to the wearing of blazers."

The school told parents in the newsletter issued on January 18, that there is a student financial support policy, which helps towards the cost of school uniforms.