Market Drayton high school's new uniform sparks fury from parents

Following the introduction of a new logo to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Grove School in Market Drayton, the school's senior leaders wanted to incorporate the new design into the school uniform.

So they asked a team of students to help them design a remodelled blazer and tie.

There has been mixed feedback on the new grey blazer and some parents have launched a petition to show they were not happy about the change.

A total of 46 people have already signed it. They have voiced concerns about the new uniform looking out of date and the fact it cannot be purchased from anywhere but the school provider, claiming it will cost more for those who would normally buy the cheaper option.

Currently the school's black blazer can be bought from any shop and have the logo stitched on to it.

More than 100 people have also commented on the town's community Facebook page Drayton Crier.

On it Dawn Williams posted: "My son starts Grove in September so it doesn't make a lot of difference which blazer I have to buy but this new one looks awful. It is like they're trying to make it look like a private school but it just looks cheap and nasty."

And Jill Turner wrote: "The uniform and logo was only changed three years ago. Why change what is not broken? It looks awful.

"That grey will not wash well and the logo is too whitewashed."

Ceris Todd added: "My children said the majority voted black but Mrs Taylor said the grey would look better. I have emailed the school also as I'm not happy with it. My youngest daughter starts September 2017 so three children in Grove is £90 minimum for just blazers. Not a happy parent here." The new grey blazer and tie will be available to all Year 7 students starting this September and existing students are asked to replace their blazer and tie by September 2017. The rest of the uniform will remain the same.

The cost of the new blazer ranges from £27.99 to £32.99, depending on size.

Headteacher Sonia Taylor said: "Students voted in assembly if they wanted a grey or black blazer. The results were almost a 50/50 split so we asked staff as well. The overall feeling was that the grey blazer was best.

"It looks so smart. It is a high quality so will last a long time."