A WESTON mum has launched a petition to change the uniform policy at Hans Price Academy.

The single mother, who preferred to remain anonymous, has two daughters who attend the Marchfields Way school.

She was inspired to launch the Change.org petition after the school took one of her daughters out of class due to wearing comfortable legging trousers, as opposed to more traditional, non-elasticated trousers.

The mother told the Weston Mercury that she didn’t want to argue with the school but feels that taking her child out of class achieves nothing and makes her miss out on valuable teaching time.

The working parent initially understood the school’s concerns and went to Asda to purchase new trousers, as instructed by a Hans Price school uniform leaflet.

However, the trousers purchased still didn’t meet the school’s standards.

The woman said that she was contacted repeatedly whilst at work, causing her to miss out on meetings.

The petition reads: “As a concerned parent of a student at Hans Price Academy, I am deeply troubled by the significant hindrance to my daughter's education caused by the current uniform policy, particularly concerning the prohibition of black elasticated trousers.

“My 13-year-old daughter, along with numerous other girls at the school, is unjustly deprived of valuable learning opportunities due to this outdated and rigid policy.

“The enforcement of this policy is not merely an inconvenience; it directly undermines my daughter's educational experience. Instead of being present in her classes, absorbing knowledge, and actively engaging in learning activities, she finds herself repeatedly pulled out of lessons and sent home to change her clothes.”

The mother also points out some practical benefits of elasticated trousers: “It's important to consider the practical implications of the uniform policy, particularly for young girls who may be menstruating. Elasticated trousers provide a level of comfort and flexibility that traditional trousers may not offer, especially during menstruation.

“By allowing girls to wear elasticated trousers, the school can ensure that they are able to focus on their studies without the added discomfort and distraction of restrictive clothing.”

A spokesperson for the academy said: "Hans Price has clear and consistent uniform expectations that are fair for all students. Our uniform is non-gendered and offers a wide variety of affordable and durable options for families to choose from. These are clearly set out in the uniform booklet on our website.

"If students arrive without correct uniform, our uniform store will loan new or freshly laundered items of clothing free of charge.

“We strongly encourage parents to contact us if they have issues with their child's uniform and remain committed to supporting the children of families experiencing financial hardship.”