Get Un-knotted !

PUPILS in Bramhall, Stockport, have been told to leave their knotted ties at home or be sent away from school.

Bramhall High bosses have decided the traditional school tie leads to scruffier pupils and poses a significant safety risk.

They have demanded students wear clip-ons.
The new rule has attracted criticism from a campaign group for ‘real education’ which has slammed the move as ‘political correctness gone mad’.

Senior teachers, though, say trailing ties during activities such as science and woodwork could lead to serious injuries around machinery and naked flames.

They also say clip-ons prevent pupils from wearing ties in a casual way – forcing them to keep their top buttons fastened.

Headteacher John Peckham defended the controversial new policy he described as ‘a sensible measure’.

"This is really a story about nothing," he said.

"We are anxious to keep improving Bramhall High School, to help all our students to look good, and to feel proud of themselves and the school.

"We have excellent working relationships with our parents and enjoy tremendous support from them over uniform and other matters."

Mr Peckham added: "Bringing the whole school in line with Years 7 and 8 from September will help to bring about a big improvement in appearance, reduce the need for teachers to be ‘nagging’ students, and will be seen as fair and equitable.

"We have been selling clip-on ties for more than a year in an effort to phase this in. But we are now at the stage where older pupils are wearing old and dirty ties because they don’t want to replace them.