School Bans Pupils From Wearing Expensive Coats To Stop 'Poverty Shaming'

Kids can be cruel, it's a cliche but it's true, and high schools are the crucible of shitty behaviour, whether it's picking on someone because they are too short, too tall, too fat, too thin, or too poor, children will find a weakness and exploit it relentlessly.

Like most forms of bullying, it is largely out of the kid's control, so one school has taken radical steps to cut out what it calls 'poverty shaming' once and for all, and has banned its pupils from wearing expensive designer coats and jackets.

From the start of next year pupils at Woodchurch High School, Birkenhead, will not be allowed to wear super pricey branded coats such a Canada Goose and Moncler - which can cost up to £600 a piece.

School uniforms are extortionate as it is, why on Earth anyone is spending over £500 on a coat that's only going to get ripped, lost, torn, or stolen, is incredible.

That's a decent city break with an Airbnb, with money to spare for a babysitter so you don't even have to bring the ungrateful brat with you.

Assistant headteacher at the Wirral school, Mr Smith, announced the ban in a letter to parents and guardians said the high-end coats.

He said: "As you are all aware from an email that was sent out yesterday, pupils will not be permitted to bring in Canadian (sic) Goose and Monclair (sic) coats after the Christmas break.

"The support from parents/carers has been overwhelmingly positive and we are very thankful for this.

"Some have also asked whether Pyrenex coats, which are also in a similar price range (with some also having real fur) will also be prohibited.

"I am writing to confirm that these brands will also be prohibited after Christmas.

"Thank you for your on going support."

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According to reports in the Liverpool Echo, a spokesperson for Woodchurch said the school 'concerned with poverty proofing' and its policy has 'always been to minimise uniform costs to parents and carers'.

A spokesman for the school said: "We are concerned with poverty proofing in school, where issues can routinely, if unintentionally, stigmatise children living in poverty and contribute to the increasing cost of the school day to parents and carers.

"It has always been our policy to minimise the cost to parents and carers of uniform.

"The decision was taken following consultation with representatives of the pupils themselves and has been welcomed by the vast majority of parents and carers who have responded to the letter."

Since the blanket ban was announced, parents have taken to social media and largely supported the decision.

Moncler

One woman applauded the school suggested high-end fashion was indeed causing "bullying" in schools.

She said: "It's been the cause of bullying for so long poor kids and those that do have then can still wear out of school. It's a win, win."

Another parent agreed, saying: "Wow a school actually acting on bullying."

The decision was also backed by a parent who said: "Brilliant thing from a high school. Parents should not feel pressurised into buying expensive stuff so their child 'fits in'.

However, one woman thought it was completely absurd and said: "I think it's a joke some kids only have them coats."

Topics: UK News, Interesting, Education

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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