Colne Valley High School is to undergo a makeover.
And a major part of the re-branding of the Linthwaite school, which became an academy last year, is a complete revamp of the school uniform.
Going are the old logo and blue of the former Specialist Arts College, introduced eight years ago. In their place from September will be a new logo with the Yorkshire rose, colours of claret and gold and the reintroduction of a blazer.
A booklet has today been sent to parents of all 1,268 pupils outlining the reasons behind the change and giving specific details of style.
This is seen as an effort to avoid a repeat of last September’s “Trousergate” row when several students were excluded on Principal Christian Wilcocks’ first day for wearing ‘the wrong trousers.’
It’s not just the pupils’ clothing that is being refashioned. The signage is all changing and the new-look academy will have a Wellbeing Centre in the old caretaker’s house, which will act as a student support hub. The reception area is to be remodelled to look more welcoming and, in response to students’ requests, new toilets will be built during the summer break.
The new uniform colours are the same as those of partner school Mirfield Free Grammar and similar to those of Marsden Junior School, due to become the third member of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) next month.
Colne Valley is to provide financial support to families who may struggle with the cost of the new uniforms, which the booklet puts at £45, £5 more than the current uniform.
Mr Wilcocks said that the reputation of the school had been damaged since 2010, but that improvements were forging ahead.
“We are a brand new school legally and in terms of the leadership, and students have bought into that. We are drawing a line under the changes.
“We understand the uniform change will be contentious for some parents, but we will give financial support where there is need. We have come up with colours and a uniform which will make our students stand out from the crowd.
“We hope that parents, like us, will see that the change in uniform reflects our commitment to high standards, academic excellence and self discipline. We hope the clarity around the new uniform will avoid another ‘Trousergate!,”
Pupil exclusions are less than half of a year ago and the intake for next September is 265 children, compared with 219 current Year 7s.
GCSE levels stand at 56%, slightly above the national average, with Mr Wilcocks predicting they will be “well over 60%” this summer.
