PARENTS claims kids were left in tears when they were made to take off their coats in sub-zero conditions and then change socks during a "uniform check."
Angry parents said children at Brannel School St Austell, Cornwall were being ordered to take off their coats to check they were wearing their uniform properly in temperatures as low as -1 degrees C.
A video emerged this week of pupils seemingly queuing up on the tennis court for what they claimed were "uniform checks" before being allowed to enter the school. Some said it was for as long as 45 minutes.
Mums and dads also claimed kids were being forced to stay outside on breaks and at lunch in the freezing temperatures since returning after the holidays on Monday (January 8).
Some mums and dads are saying that stricter rules brought in after pupils returned following the Christmas break are leaving children crying.
They cite examples such as their children allegedly being humiliated by being made to pull up their trousers to the knee.
After 'logos that cannot be seen' were spotted, children were accused of wearing inappropriate clothing and were ordered to change into 'second hand' socks provided by the school, they claim.
Outraged families have created a Facebook group that is full of complaints and concerns.
One mum said "Our daughter was also pulled up on socks this week and made to wear ones provided by the school. She had to hand her phone over to them in exchange for said socks.
"We asked the deputy head what the correct policy is and he said plain black socks.
"She WAS wearing plain black socks, they were just not ankle socks. He said they are trying to avoid the use sports socks,specifically ones with Nike logos.
"When we went with her at the end of the day to collect her confiscated phone from the sports hall the queue for confiscated items must have been approximately 40 children deep.
"There were two boys complaining about their socks, showing each other the socks they were wearing. One had long black socks on with a logo right at the top.
"He had to roll up his whole trouser leg to show his friend the said logo. So I'm assuming they are asking the children to roll up their trouser legs in order to check."
One parent replied "It's madness. We have also had sock issues at school this week. Never seen the girls so down with school."
Another said "Poor daughter - it's really not right these kids are feeling this way.
She got home Tuesday, burst into tears and said she wants to leave."
Another said "My daughter got suspended for five days on the first day back for having her shirt untucked - she was sent to r2l-(ready to learn) done her time and sent back to lessons.
"She didn't even make it back to lesson as the internal doors were locked before getting dragged back and suspended. She wasn't even allowed to ask why. Twenty kids are currently suspended regarding uniform."
One grandmother shared "So my grandson was highlighted in the 'line-up' to check appropriate school uniform to be wearing black socks. These said black socks at the top near his shin had the word Nike.
"Now then, if someone could tell me how this is going to impact on him becoming a rocket scientist and fund his grannie's care home in the future, please enlighten me.
"He was made to remove his black socks and given a delightful pair from lost property! Should I get athlete's foot powder in case?"
A mum replied "My son went to ready to learn (punishment regime) for refusing to change his black socks to ones school provided. His weren't long enough apparently.
"Plain black school socks, not trainer socks, just generic black socks.
Three lessons of learning impacted as he refused to wear second hand socks."
Other parents said teachers were making kids pull up the legs of their trousers and remove their shoes to see the whole socks.
One said "That's crazy. As long it's not on show I can't see what it matters?"
Another said "My son was asked to remove his shoes, he refused and he was put in ready to learn."
But one parent has stood up for the school, asking others to give it a chance.
"The behaviour, etc, has slipped at Brannel of late and they are doing something about it. They are now using tried and tested methods that have been proved to work. It's very unfortunate that they have started this in unusually cold weather.
"Give them a chance to see if this works. We need to stop pandering to what the kids want. Never did us any harm. And rules are rules, like it or not, if you have the wrong uniform, you should expect to have consequences.
"Rather than everyone kicking off, why don't we let Brannel try to make this work and be on their side?"
MP Steve Double confirmed he has been contacted by several parents and has written to the school asking for an urgent meeting to discuss their concerns.
Cornwall Education Learning Trust (CELT), which runs the school, issued a statement explaining that children were indeed expected to spend breaks outside to 'maintain energy levels and promote mental wellbeing, greater productivity, and focused learning'.
They said it is part of policies 'introduced to help students strive for excellence in every part of school life'.
They did however say that children are able to wear coats outside, despite reports from parents and pupils that suggest otherwise.
A spokesperson for the school said "Our behaviour and uniform expectations align with the values and high standards we uphold as a school. These have been introduced to help students strive for excellence in every part of school life and have been embraced by the vast majority of our school community.
"As part of this, students are expected to spend break and lunchtimes outdoors except for when eating in the school canteen, taking part in indoor enrichment clubs, or in circumstances of extreme weather conditions.
"This is to help maintain energy levels and promote mental wellbeing, greater productivity, and focused learning.
"We continually encourage students to bring coats to school, particularly in periods of colder weather, and do not expect them to remove outdoor wear until they have re-entered school buildings. However, it is of course up to individuals as to whether they choose to wear them while outside.
"With a vision for a safe, happy and motivated environment, the guidance is essential in ensuring that as a whole school community, we fulfil this at all times.
"This has been communicated with students, parents and carers and we are confident that these policies will help set our students up with the very best opportunities for success - both in and beyond school."
Parents have organised a meeting to discuss the issues at St Stephen's Social Club on January 16th.
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