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School swaps uniform for tracksuits and trainers

Ellen Knight
BBC Radio Shropshire
BBC Three students; left to right Hugo, then Millie-Jane, then Louie. They're wearing navy blue quarter-zip tracksuit tops with a white pattern over the shoulders and the school logo on the left. It reads 'William Brookes: a Coubertin School' and the symbol is a gold cross with a green laurel wreath.BBC
Students Hugo, Millie-Jane, and Louie agreed they were "really happy" with the change

A secondary school has started phasing out its traditional uniform to be replaced with PE kit.

William Brookes School in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, is trialling the change for a week before formally introducing it in September.

Instead of blazers and ties, students are wearing school-branded navy blue tracksuits and trainers.

Year 8 pupil Hugo said the new uniform was "quite inclusive, with it all being the same."

The decision to change the uniform came out of an aim to encourage more sport and outdoor education, said headteacher Ruth Shaw.

"I really object to the idea that what you wear is key to your learning experience," she said.

"I just do not believe that wearing a shirt and tie means that you will learn better."

Ruth is pictured smiling and looking into the camera; she's wearing a white top with a blue/grey checked blazer over the top. She's sat in front of a turquoise pin board, which has about 20 cards pinned to it, all reading variations on 'thank you.'
Headteacher Ruth Shaw said she believed traditional uniform did not necessarily improve learning

Louis, who is 14 and in Year 9, said the new uniform felt "a lot comfier", adding: "My shirt's not bugging me and I'm not getting into arguments with teachers about it."

"It's really smart and more modern," said 13-year-old Millie-Jane.

Hugo, who is in Year 8, said the sports kit "takes on board the school's Olympic heritage."

The school is named after William Penny Brookes, a 19th Century Much Wenlock resident who founded the Wenlock Olympian Games, which went on to inspire the Olympic Games we know today.

Acting head of PE Antony Parkes said: "We really value movement, and [want] students to be more settled in their classrooms."

Mr Parkes noted that changing out of uniform into PE kit had been "eating into [lesson] time," but that students would still be given time to change into fresh clothes after playing sport.

Antony pictured smiling and looking into the camera; he's stood in front of a window looking out over the school carpark. He's wearing a navy blue zip-up tracksuit top. The weather outside is bright and sunny.
Antony Parkes said exercise and movement was really important at the school

When asked if changing the school's uniform could create unwanted costs for some parents, Ms Shaw said "the fact that it is the existing PE kit does make a little bit of a difference."

"So it is a case of topping up [on kit] rather than buying lots and lots of new uniform."

She added: "I'm under no illusion that there are some families who [will] have to invest heavily in this."

"We are working with suppliers to try and bring the price of the uniform down."

Parents were consulted by the school, and offered the chance to raise any concerns about the proposed changes.

Sian, who has two children at the school, said her family was "really happy" with the change.

She said her daughter, who struggled with sensory issues when wearing a shirt and tie, had benefited from wearing more comfortable clothes to school.

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