As concerned parents and carers, we are calling for an immediate review of the school's current uniform and toilet access policies, which are causing unnecessary distress, discomfort, and disruption to pupils' education and wellbeing.

We recognise the importance of maintaining high standards, promoting safety, and creating a positive learning environment. However, these objectives must be balanced with the welfare, dignity, and individual needs of all pupils.

Under the current toilet access arrangements, pupils are reportedly required to wait for an escort before being permitted to use the toilet during lessons. For some children, particularly those with medical conditions affecting bowel or bladder function, those experiencing menstruation, or those with additional needs, such delays can cause significant anxiety, discomfort, embarrassment, and distress. Concerns have also been raised that these restrictions may adversely affect pupils' concentration, wellbeing, and ability to engage fully in learning.

For pupils with recognised emotional regulation difficulties, being prevented from leaving an environment that is causing distress may further escalate anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Schools have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to make reasonable adjustments where appropriate for pupils with additional needs, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and statutory safeguarding guidance.

We are also concerned by the recent implementation of changes to the school's uniform policy. Parents have been informed partway through the academic year that certain footwear is no longer acceptable, requiring families to purchase replacement shoes with little notice and only a few weeks remaining before the end of term. At a time when many households are facing financial pressures, such sudden changes place an unnecessary burden on families.

Furthermore, reports that pupils are being removed from lessons or excluded from learning opportunities due to minor uniform infringements raise concerns about proportionality and the impact on their education. Government guidance on school uniforms emphasises that policies should be reasonable, inclusive, and mindful of the financial impact on families.

We respectfully ask the Headteacher and Governing Body to review these policies in consultation with parents, carers, and pupils, ensuring that they reflect the school's duty to support children's welfare, dignity, health, and educational access.

Our children deserve a school environment that promotes learning, respect, inclusion, and wellbeing. We urge the school leadership to work collaboratively with families to develop policies that are fair, practical, and compassionate for all pupils.

To clarify, we call upon the head teacher and governing body to:

- Consider suspending the recently introduced toilet access and uniform policies and reinstating the previous arrangements while a full review and consultation process is undertaken. The previous policies were in place for several years and allowed the school to maintain high standards of behaviour, attendance, and achievement while also respecting the welfare and individual needs of pupils. Many parents feel that the recent changes have been introduced without sufficient consultation and have had an immediate negative impact on children's wellbeing, dignity, and access to learning.

We believe any significant policy changes should be evidence-based, proportionate, and developed in partnership with the school community. Until such a review has taken place, reinstating the previous arrangements would provide stability for pupils and families while concerns are properly considered.

Please sign this petition if you support a review of the current uniform and toilet access policies.