100 pupils sent home by Bradford head teacher in uniform purge (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Is it me?
Q.1 Why should it be news-worthy that a secondary school has a uniform policy and actually enforces it? A. Because it has become rare for anyone in our terminally self-centred society to actually abide by any rules that don't 'suit' their 'individual needs'.
Q.2 Does George Galloway actually believe that he adds value simply by spouting his mouth off without even considering engaging his brain? A. Apparently so!
Q.3 I am being cynical in concluding that the prime function of an NUT rep is to get that organisation's name in print without any regard to the fact that they are talking complete drivel? A. Apparently not!
Seriously though, everyone who has to manage/control an institutional pressure-cooker knows that if the minor rules are ignored then it becomes and invitations to ignore the major ones. If only we took the same view on enforcement of our laws...

I fully agree.

Nip it in the bud. Otherwise it will get out of hand and become a serious problem.

Does anybody really listen to George Galloway anymore, don't really think he's in a position to comment on things, he maybe out spoken, but his comments are of no use !!. this head master is running the school the way it should be run, rules are rules,

Every time George Galloway speaks he looks more and more stupid, although it's nice to see what his stance on school discipline is.

I can't see how the headteacher's policy is any different than 30 years ago, except it would have been the odd individual. When I was at school 132 people wouldn't have dared to ignore the clothing policy.

Mr Galloway I disagree with your view “It was a grotesque over-reaction by the headmaster. The way to deal with it would have been to invite the parents in, rather than to send the children home.” in the strongest of terms. It is exactly this kind of attitude which has created a culture of non compliance with all reasonable requests in Bradford.
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In Bradford, there are no rules, boundaries or limitations to peoples behaviour because they are so use to bending the rules and getting their own way. In short, this has created a living hell in this city. It has to stop.
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Mr Richardson, well done, you are a brave person who should be fully supported in the actions you have taken by our politicians and community. It's good to hear that there is a calmer atmosphere in school and I hope more learning will result from it.
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Living through this difficult recession is very difficult for some young people and I think this move will stop some young people showing off to others what they can't have/afford.
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Bit confused about allowing coloured head scarf though - why not a single practical colour and fabric?

George Galloway is a buffoon.

Well done Mr Richardson, hope your school keeps its standards up.

Ah George, still getting anarchy and politics mixed up.

If teachers spent more time teaching the kids then telling them off for inappropriate footwear, wrong type of jumper, wrong style of trousers, they would gain more respect and the classes would be better behaved and less disprupted if they did what they are paid to do teach not lecture. No-one wants a lecture on the way they look, has anyone ever thought maybe some families can't afford new uniforms and they have to make do with what they have. My parents weren't rich enought to buy me a new uniforms ever year, you wore what you had from where you could afford, so yes well all did not look the same but it was the school colours. Get a life.

TykeLady wrote:
If teachers spent more time teaching the kids then telling them off for inappropriate footwear, wrong type of jumper, wrong style of trousers, they would gain more respect and the classes would be better behaved and less disprupted if they did what they are paid to do teach not lecture. No-one wants a lecture on the way they look, has anyone ever thought maybe some families can't afford new uniforms and they have to make do with what they have. My parents weren't rich enought to buy me a new uniforms ever year, you wore what you had from where you could afford, so yes well all did not look the same but it was the school colours. Get a life.

Your comment typifies the headmasters statement "...and it focuses them on what they have come to school for today, which is to achieve their personal best in their studies.” Clearly it did not work with you.
Uniform is not expensive and grants are available to help with costs. A uniform assists in reducing bullying and having no divide between rich and poor. A school with no uniform policy creates this divide when you have the more well off children in expensively branded clothes compared to cheaper Primarni clothed children,
But is more about children and parents respecting rules and regulations.

SRS74 wrote:

TykeLady wrote:
If teachers spent more time teaching the kids then telling them off for inappropriate footwear, wrong type of jumper, wrong style of trousers, they would gain more respect and the classes would be better behaved and less disprupted if they did what they are paid to do teach not lecture. No-one wants a lecture on the way they look, has anyone ever thought maybe some families can't afford new uniforms and they have to make do with what they have. My parents weren't rich enought to buy me a new uniforms ever year, you wore what you had from where you could afford, so yes well all did not look the same but it was the school colours. Get a life.

Your comment typifies the headmasters statement "...and it focuses them on what they have come to school for today, which is to achieve their personal best in their studies.” Clearly it did not work with you.
Uniform is not expensive and grants are available to help with costs. A uniform assists in reducing bullying and having no divide between rich and poor. A school with no uniform policy creates this divide when you have the more well off children in expensively branded clothes compared to cheaper Primarni clothed children,
But is more about children and parents respecting rules and regulations.

I completely agree with you. Unfortunately it seems the teachers don't necessarily agree according to their spokesman:

"they spend too much time dealing with what they think are essentially trivial matters relating to uniform.”

This kind of discipline leads to self-discipline in time, something sorely lacking in our society of over consumption.

Zero tolerance - it worked in New York!

The Department for Education states:

"The Department strongly encourages schools to have a uniform as it can instil pride; support positive behaviour and discipline; encourage identity with, and support for, school ethos; ensure pupils of all races and backgrounds feel welcome; protect children from social pressures to dress in a particular way; and nurture cohesion and promote good relations between different groups of pupils."

Teachers don't need to tell the kids off if they simply comply with the school rules.

Well done Headmaster. Schools need discipline. Just ignore Galloway.

Good move Mr Richardson. It may seem harsh to some but if the school doesn't act upon kids breaking rules then they will carry on breaking rules in different issues and on different levels whether that maybe whilst at school or even after leaving school.

this is a form of discipline which is good for the kids, for their own sake.

I agree discipline is highly important. Children need to understand rules have to be obeyed by everyone.

Well done headmaster!

But your six formers uniform is like one of a undertaker, maybe that's why it is all calm.:-)

Happy to hear your being firm but fair need more teachers and politicians like you.

angry bradfordian wrote:

SRS74 wrote:

TykeLady wrote:
If teachers spent more time teaching the kids then telling them off for inappropriate footwear, wrong type of jumper, wrong style of trousers, they would gain more respect and the classes would be better behaved and less disprupted if they did what they are paid to do teach not lecture. No-one wants a lecture on the way they look, has anyone ever thought maybe some families can't afford new uniforms and they have to make do with what they have. My parents weren't rich enought to buy me a new uniforms ever year, you wore what you had from where you could afford, so yes well all did not look the same but it was the school colours. Get a life.

Your comment typifies the headmasters statement "...and it focuses them on what they have come to school for today, which is to achieve their personal best in their studies.” Clearly it did not work with you.
Uniform is not expensive and grants are available to help with costs. A uniform assists in reducing bullying and having no divide between rich and poor. A school with no uniform policy creates this divide when you have the more well off children in expensively branded clothes compared to cheaper Primarni clothed children,
But is more about children and parents respecting rules and regulations.

I completely agree with you. Unfortunately it seems the teachers don't necessarily agree according to their spokesman:

"they spend too much time dealing with what they think are essentially trivial matters relating to uniform.”

DITTO!!

i completely agree with you two. If we start getting the little things right then other things will fall into place.

Tykelady what are you on about?

we live in a civilised society that has laws and rules and if we picked and chose which one to follow then it would soon descend into anarchy.

we need to give our children a good start in life to achieve their potential and that starts at home with parents and is reinforced in schools.

Well done to all staff at Challenge College. Long may the good work continue.

I disagree that uniforms aren't expensive, a blazer alone can cost £25 - £30. A full uniform for secondary school can cost upwards of £150, the £26 voucher doesn't go very far. A family with two or three children may find it very hard to find all that money.

That said, I agree wholeheartedly with the headmaster, if the school has a uniform policy then it should be enforced. Also, it's probably easier to send children home than it would be for the parents to come in, and it puts the onus on the children rather than just the parents; I suspect in some cases the children have the correct uniform, they just chose to wear something else.

paul5563 wrote:
Does anybody really listen to George Galloway anymore, don't really think he's in a position to comment on things, he maybe out spoken, but his comments are of no use !!. this head master is running the school the way it should be run, rules are rules,

Oh he still has his devotees! Those idiots who were hoodwinked into voting for him and refuse to admit their error.
If everyone was aware of the rules before term started there can be no excuse for turning up incorrectly attired.

Well done Mr Richardson (Headteacher) its about time someone laid the law down its a pity other schools don't do the same. School uniforms are needed for so many reasons, every child should be in the same uniform no expensive tops, skirts, trainers etc. Mr Galloway is it about time you kept your mouth shut about things you don't know about. It's about time you were put in the hole in the Centre of town and be filled over.

I thought gallowa'y would stir BRADFORD council up,and maybe do some good by highlighting the destruction of our city. But no the only thing he's interested in is himself. Why would he not back the headteacher when all he's doing is getting the the basics in place, I hope the people who put him where he is realis'e that it may seem he's helping, But in reality your children will suffer. You can't keep making everything a race thing.

When there is a change in policy a) it has to be approved by the governing body(not done!) b) Usually you inform the parents before they have bought uniforms.(letter sent out late August)
I am sure parents welcome a uniform policy that is fair and affordable and good discipline to boot. I don't think its fair that they have to buy the uniform twice or have their kids permanently expelled for doing so (as was the case with a few kids)

It is the headmaster perogative to have school uniform if that is what the school governing body had agreed to. If you want consistent treatment then you must follow rules and regulations. You cannot have the situation with children coming to school in designer clothing or not dressed modestly if parents want an education for their children they need to allow the headmaster who is fully qualified and equiped to deal with the matter at hand. I am not from bradford but was raised there went to a church of england school did very very as did my fellow classmates who are doctors and we pay and contribute to UK plc in form of taxes in excess of 50%. that is from a pakistani first generation person who came to bradford as a child. Parents also need education understanding and always listen to both sides before passing judgement by having 100 students out of school ruins the childrens education so please for the sake of the children need to resolve matter amicably

He'd have loved being my headmaster, I was sent home for 2 weeks in my final year for having a green mohican the head's words were ' when you return your hair better be different' I took him literally and returned with a red mohican. After a few splutters I quoted him verbatim, he resigned himself to the strength of his own words and sent me into class.

I fully appreciate conformity in school as regards uniform as said above, it removes one obvious stream for bullying and feeling inadequate. I do not agree with it being enforced so strongly, surely the education and result of is more important than how you look achieving these results. If it is school colours but not an exact match to the uniform, due to cost, broken washing machine, ruination of clothes then to 'stamp' on this is bad as it could end up with a child still feeling bullied as some parents just do not give a fig.

Well done the head teacher!

Shut your face Galloway - we are not interested!

To Harrogate2011, Is it still the prerogative of the Headteacher when the school governing body has not agreed to it and he is operating independently. You also talk about listening to both sides before passing judgement - yet parents are not being represented here at all. This is a single sided view from the School (T&A Where is the journalism?). When I went to school we were also taught about fairness and justice. Do you think it is fair and just that parents are expected to conform to a policy sent out after they have spent their money and bought a uniform in good faith.

Yes, uniforms can be expensive. However, you will probably find that the kids being sent home are wearing £90 Nikes rather than £30 Clarke's.

Well done to the head teacher. Imany other schools where uniform has had this furore in the local press, the applications for the school has gone up in the following year as parents see it as a strong school which takes discipline seriously.

Old Speckled Cockerel wrote:
To Harrogate2011, Is it still the prerogative of the Headteacher when the school governing body has not agreed to it and he is operating independently. You also talk about listening to both sides before passing judgement - yet parents are not being represented here at all. This is a single sided view from the School (T&A Where is the journalism?). When I went to school we were also taught about fairness and justice. Do you think it is fair and just that parents are expected to conform to a policy sent out after they have spent their money and bought a uniform in good faith.

According to the report the main problem was incorrect footwear, and after a few days the problem seems to have disappeared anyway.
I would agree that more notice should have been given if your claims are correct, but I also agree with the headmasters policy (the timing might possibly have been better though).

How come they are allowed to wear multi coloured headscarves? They should be the same colour otherwise why aren't they allowed to wear different coloured blazers or trousers?

To JaTkinson, Rather than probably - Actually children were sent home for a number of issues ie wrong type of haircut (I actually hate these haircuts) wrong type of bag (it was all black as specified but had 1 tiny white flower on it), wrong type of shoes (black shoes that had a tiny decoration ie girls shoes)silver or were not polish-able). So parents have made a concerted effort to avoid all the designer stuff but its very difficult to get something that is completely black. I heard some parents had to resort to using black marker pens to ensure they could comply, I think it is disingenuous to say that parents made no effort at all they did and it was still not good enough.

Well I'd be more concerned as to where this school stands in the School league table for GCSE results.
I'm guessing not too far up, if my kid could get good grades wearing jeans and a T-Shirt I would not care if he/she looked a bit scruffy.
I've seen discipline and conformity placed above academia in many Bradford school establishments and it's usually a sign the school has given up trying to compete academically, so I believe Galloway was correct.

The Idiot Galloway strikes again - Respect, he has no idea what this means. Start as you mean to go on - the Head is right to do what he did , it all starts somewhere - ignore the shoe rule,then in a few years do the same with the highway code and the need to be taxed and insured as a driver - zero tolerance is what we need till people abide the laws/rules.

Interesting article. People wondering why the t&a are bothering with it. Probably because a few national papers had found out about the fiasco at the school and have been interested in parents opinions so the heads trying to get his version out first! I

I think uniforms are essential in maintaining good behaviour, but not to divert attention. Oh look our pupils are in business attire but don't worry about our below average results are satisfactory teaching from our last ofsted report.

Lots of my cousins who send their kids their didn't receive the letter until the end of the summer holidays after they had bought new shoes and bags. Then had to guy another pair. And not just any pair. A pair that could be polished! I had always assumed all shoes are polishable, but I was wrong. And bags must be plain black with 1 carrying strap. Now where can I get 1 of those I wonder. Well certainly not where the school stated, because the didn't have any.

The head has come into an area with one of the highest deprivation factors in the UK. Parents liked the school because it meant they only needed to buy their kids 1 pair of shoes a year and we're able to save money. But that's not the case anymore.

And what the t&a doesn't also say is how the head punished 70 children for going home and telling their parents that lots of children had been sent. If some without their parents being informed. Some kids didn't even go home they played football on nearby fields.

And 1 last point watch out for the ruler police. The school no longer allows 30cm rulers!

Old Speckled Cockerel wrote:
When there is a change in policy a) it has to be approved by the governing body(not done!) b) Usually you inform the parents before they have bought uniforms.(letter sent out late August)
I am sure parents welcome a uniform policy that is fair and affordable and good discipline to boot. I don't think its fair that they have to buy the uniform twice or have their kids permanently expelled for doing so (as was the case with a few kids)

The article states that parents were informed before the summer of the uniform for the new term.

Where does it say late August?

If OSC has more information I'd be interested to know what that letter contains.

Gotta love Bradford, here we have an article where a school is sending kids home to change into a new school uniform, whilst another article states that we have thousands of children living in poverty. Could it be that if the family cannot afford enough food that perhaps, just perhaps, they cannot afford a brand new uniform?!

For a school to change to a new uniform during this recession and in Bradford of all places just shows how idiotic they were. Most likely the headmaster knows the supplier of these new uniforms and made a nice little deal. Placing their interest before the children.

Walruss wrote:

Old Speckled Cockerel wrote:
When there is a change in policy a) it has to be approved by the governing body(not done!) b) Usually you inform the parents before they have bought uniforms.(letter sent out late August)
I am sure parents welcome a uniform policy that is fair and affordable and good discipline to boot. I don't think its fair that they have to buy the uniform twice or have their kids permanently expelled for doing so (as was the case with a few kids)

The article states that parents were informed before the summer of the uniform for the new term.

Where does it say late August?

If OSC has more information I'd be interested to know what that letter contains.

We all know there is usually a large disparity between what the t&a report and what the actual truth is. Letters dated end of July were received by parents in late August.

As the poster above has pointed out we have another article highlighting the rise of child poverty. And challenge is a school with a high level of children on free school meals which means they are likely to be living on the edge of poverty. The head has shown he knows little about the circumstances of the community he serves.

Interesting to see that the Labour Party Trolls have made it onto the T&A comments section...They cant beat Respect on Policy so their best tactic is to attack George Galloway, If that is Labour strategy for Bradford for the next few years then they are more weak and pathetic then I imagined.

Lets not forget George Galloway is the only MP that has met with the parents of the school kids sent home and has a much better incite then the idiots posting against him on hear.

Final point....T&A should stop acting as the mouthpiece for the establishment and start being more fair and balanced in their reporting, where are the parents in this article?? am sure they would have a lot to say about a Head Teacher imposing rules without consulting the school governors

why dont people just look up the definition of uniform. its obvious to me. as for the 'we cannot afford these items' save up!! term time starts the same month every year.

How is it that the 3 muslim girls look as if they can wear just what they like on thier heads in the above photo?
Colour and extremely large size just do not got with the smart look of the other pupils.

ertnec wrote:
Well done Mr Richardson (Headteacher) its about time someone laid the law down its a pity other schools don't do the same. School uniforms are needed for so many reasons, every child should be in the same uniform no expensive tops, skirts, trainers etc. Mr Galloway is it about time you kept your mouth shut about things you don't know about. It's about time you were put in the hole in the Centre of town and be filled over.

What "law" would that be ?
Wearing the wrong shoes is a crime now ?

The wolf is never worried by the number of sheep.
Just as well because 130 sets of parents is enough to vote out the entire board of governors, elect one with a bit more common sense and sack this idiot in charge calling himself the headmaster.
Exams are around the corner and sending people home because they have the wrong style of shoes is pathetic, over reactionary and only appeals to the bootlicking child haters on here.
This head teacher will earn around £3000 a WEEK, what does he know about the cost of shoes, the man's a idiot.

George Galloway - reaction to uniform is "grotesque", but alleged rape is "bad etiquette". Good luck to the new Head of Challenge College! People in Lower Manningham really suffered under the lack of discipline enforced by the previous Head

vax2002 wrote:
The wolf is never worried by the number of sheep.
Just as well because 130 sets of parents is enough to vote out the entire board of governors, elect one with a bit more common sense and sack this idiot in charge calling himself the headmaster.
Exams are around the corner and sending people home because they have the wrong style of shoes is pathetic, over reactionary and only appeals to the bootlicking child haters on here.
This head teacher will earn around £3000 a WEEK, what does he know about the cost of shoes, the man's a idiot.

vax 2002 i agree with you as many people cannot afford the expenses of business wear especially when little 'picky' things are pointed out e.g. stitching's on the shoes. if he wants the shoes changed why doesn't he pay for each and every student. does this look like a job interview to him. he needs to concentrate on grades rather than little things. this is utterly stupid and something needs to be done about this.

Joedavid wrote:
How is it that the 3 muslim girls look as if they can wear just what they like on thier heads in the above photo?
Colour and extremely large size just do not got with the smart look of the other pupils.

lmao I just had a look a the photo. Pretty funny that it used to be all white kids and a black/asian kid placed at the bottom left or right, but now it's a complete reversal.

And for a headmaster who sent kids home for not wearing the correct uniform, what about that idiot second from right, I would have had him sent home for having such a ridiculous haircut!

The white and blue hijab is fine if you ask me, or a plain sensible coloured one; the other woman is probably a teacher, hence the multicoloured one.

So where shall i start from from...
Seriously this new head has made so many mistakes and errors in Challenge college (where my son goes) in only his 3rd week. So why is it that i hear no parents complaining and people sticking up for this so called "Head"


Uniform: Basically he is telling our kids to wear black shoes and bags and until just recently i have heard that we need businesslike shoes and bags for our kids! I cannot afford to change clothing over and over for my kids for silly little issues E.G./ Little stitching marks. This is out of order i am skint till my next pay day so why doesn't he just give us the money to pay for our kids so called business wear.


Business wear: When did challenge college become a business school, i haven't been informed and neither have any other parents therefore it is not a business school and the head has no right to point out that our kids need business wear!


Excluding our kids: My son will soon start his GCSE and my niece is in year 11 at grades D-C in other words a borderline child due to this needs to be in school every day and minute and therefore has not missed anything until she was excluded for a wrong bag which had a logo on and because of this sent home even though it fit plenty of a4 folders without creases which was required on the letters we received. So why was she excluded? Why is she missing important time of her education. For having the correct bag?


Education: This head was told that he had turned many poor schools into successful educated school's but is wasting our year 11's and 10's furthermore time excluding them for pitiful reasons! At the moment it is not looking good.


Also apparently he was performing an assembly recently talking about the Olympics and paralympics when all of a sudden he changed the subject to Christianity in a school which is 95% of Muslims. Now i am not racist but this is just not on. I have also been researching his recent history where he was preaching Christianity in many schools in the UK to Africa.




So please parents, neighbors and community dont fall for this man he is not correct for Challenge College neither a headteacher help me and complain about this man on this page.

Thank you.

So where shall i start from from...
Seriously this new head has made so many mistakes and errors in Challenge college (where my son goes) in only his 3rd week. So why is it that i hear no parents complaining and people sticking up for this so called "Head"


Uniform: Basically he is telling our kids to wear black shoes and bags and until just recently i have heard that we need businesslike shoes and bags for our kids! I cannot afford to change clothing over and over for my kids for silly little issues E.G./ Little stitching marks. This is out of order i am skint till my next pay day so why doesn't he just give us the money to pay for our kids so called business wear.


Business wear: When did challenge college become a business school, i haven't been informed and neither have any other parents therefore it is not a business school and the head has no right to point out that our kids need business wear!


Excluding our kids: My son will soon start his GCSE and my niece is in year 11 at grades D-C in other words a borderline child due to this needs to be in school every day and minute and therefore has not missed anything until she was excluded for a wrong bag which had a logo on and because of this sent home even though it fit plenty of a4 folders without creases which was required on the letters we received. So why was she excluded? Why is she missing important time of her education. For having the correct bag?


Education: This head was told that he had turned many poor schools into successful educated school's but is wasting our year 11's and 10's furthermore time excluding them for pitiful reasons! At the moment it is not looking good.


Also apparently he was performing an assembly recently talking about the Olympics and paralympics when all of a sudden he changed the subject to Christianity in a school which is 95% of Muslims. Now i am not racist but this is just not on. I have also been researching his recent history where he was preaching Christianity in many schools in the UK to Africa.




So please parents, neighbors and community dont fall for this man he is not correct for Challenge College neither a headteacher help me and complain about this man on this page.

Thank you.

Saltaire Bantam wrote:
How come they are allowed to wear multi coloured headscarves? They should be the same colour otherwise why aren't they allowed to wear different coloured blazers or trousers?

They are probably the staff, although why they are wearing headscarves beats me, it's not a compulsion in islam is it?

If we look at european countries, the UK is the only one which is so completely obsessed by school uniform. It seems sad that students who are in school to learn should be sent home for a non-learning related issue. If anything, it teaches them that petty bureaucracy is alive and well and living in Bradford. Schools do not need uniforms - it's time to ditch this outdated attitude to young people. To those who claim it reduces bullying, i ask where your evidence is? Children are bullied because other children are bullies - they will always find something to attack if they are so minded.

Popsi Kann wrote:
Interesting to see that the Labour Party Trolls have made it onto the T&A comments section...They cant beat Respect on Policy so their best tactic is to attack George Galloway, If that is Labour strategy for Bradford for the next few years then they are more weak and pathetic then I imagined.

Lets not forget George Galloway is the only MP that has met with the parents of the school kids sent home and has a much better incite then the idiots posting against him on hear.

Final point....T&A should stop acting as the mouthpiece for the establishment and start being more fair and balanced in their reporting, where are the parents in this article?? am sure they would have a lot to say about a Head Teacher imposing rules without consulting the school governors

Unlike the RESPECT trolls who have latched on also.

Any comment on why a white, convert Respect party member felt the need to withdraw from the party amid claims of bullying and underhand tactics and his parting words of ' if you are white, convert or not, the respect party is not for you'

This was a very staunch and vocal member too, someone who makes valid points but doesn't come across as fanatic or crazy as so many do, driven out of the party he was, in his words, 'a decison maker' but there appears to be an undercurrent of 'true decison makers' who are not votable or even respectable people.

I'd be putting your own house in order first Popsi Khan.

s_ellinson wrote:
If we look at european countries, the UK is the only one which is so completely obsessed by school uniform. It seems sad that students who are in school to learn should be sent home for a non-learning related issue. If anything, it teaches them that petty bureaucracy is alive and well and living in Bradford. Schools do not need uniforms - it's time to ditch this outdated attitude to young people. To those who claim it reduces bullying, i ask where your evidence is? Children are bullied because other children are bullies - they will always find something to attack if they are so minded.

uniform is uniform wherever you study.its not the headmasters fault that people dont listen to the rules!! plain black shoes isnt difficult is it....

Typical of T&A to report a one sided story, let me put the record straight, i am a parent of two children that attend Challenge School. I first recieved a letter about the new uniform policy around mid August through the post, i had already bought the shoes, bags etc. The issue here is not the change of policy but the process and the timescales to implement these changes. The school had allowed a culture of "wear whatever you want" for years and then to change this culture in a matter of days is rather ambitious and financially impractical to say the least for some parents. I along with other parents was elated that the school was finally trying to implement some discipline in our children i.e. uniform, bags, shoes and to rid of patterned haircuts, majority of people cant stand these haircuts. The way T&A have reported it read that parents did not want the new changes and were not prepared to have their children disciplined, what a load of rubbish!! their negative reporting stems from the fact that George Galloway had commented on this issue therefore lets bash him and the parents that he is defending. Whatever issues they have with him should not reflect on us as parents. Why did the T&A not try to contact any parents and speak to them to get their views. Everyone is forgetting that parents are major stakeholders of the school and therefore should be consulted on all issues. Not a single word from a parents perspective on this issue. And then to allow comments on this artice is to invite all the racists and islamaphobes to air their ignorance, filth and vile, this is not only irresponsible but as far as i am concerned T&A are party to it. I wonder what the style of reporting would have been had this school been a 95% white middle class school?? I guess very very different and sympathetic towards the parents. The second issue that has been brought to the attention of the school by the parents in the last week is the collective "christian" worship in the assembly conducted by the new headmaster, how intimidating and insensitive that he should do this at a school which is 95% muslim, we sent our children to a secular school and for them to have a broad learning and understanding of ALL religions and not any one religion to dominate. Imagine a muslim headmaster conducting a muslim prayer at a school attended by 95% christians, jews, sikhs or hindus. I can imagine the T&A headline "muslim headmaster preaching Islam" in our schools. A very different story would have emerged. How come this issue was not mentioned in the T&A? Whilst we are on this subject let me also inform you that the school is in the process of becoming an Academy, the preferred provider by the school and its headmaster for the academy is a company named "Oasis Community Learning"
Their teaching ethos is as below:

"Our ethos is an expression of our character - it is a statement of who we are and therefore the lens through which we assess all we do. The work of Oasis Community Learning is motivated and inspired by the life, message and example of Christ"

I believe Christianity to be a religion of love and peace however if i wanted to send my children to a school in which its ethos is firmly rooted in religion then i would have sent them to a Muslim school. Most parents prefer to send their children to a non faith based school.
Why is the school not conveying this clear message to the parents about Oasis? Why has there been no parent consultation on this decision? Why is the headmaster so defensive and adamant that he pursues Oasis?

Given the fact that the new headmaster has a Christian Missionary Background, It is these issues that are causing concern to parents and rightly so....

mrbradford wrote:
Typical of T&A to report a one sided story, let me put the record straight, i am a parent of two children that attend Challenge School. I first recieved a letter about the new uniform policy around mid August through the post, i had already bought the shoes, bags etc. The issue here is not the change of policy but the process and the timescales to implement these changes. The school had allowed a culture of "wear whatever you want" for years and then to change this culture in a matter of days is rather ambitious and financially impractical to say the least for some parents. I along with other parents was elated that the school was finally trying to implement some discipline in our children i.e. uniform, bags, shoes and to rid of patterned haircuts, majority of people cant stand these haircuts. The way T&A have reported it read that parents did not want the new changes and were not prepared to have their children disciplined, what a load of rubbish!! their negative reporting stems from the fact that George Galloway had commented on this issue therefore lets bash him and the parents that he is defending. Whatever issues they have with him should not reflect on us as parents. Why did the T&A not try to contact any parents and speak to them to get their views. Everyone is forgetting that parents are major stakeholders of the school and therefore should be consulted on all issues. Not a single word from a parents perspective on this issue. And then to allow comments on this artice is to invite all the racists and islamaphobes to air their ignorance, filth and vile, this is not only irresponsible but as far as i am concerned T&A are party to it. I wonder what the style of reporting would have been had this school been a 95% white middle class school?? I guess very very different and sympathetic towards the parents. The second issue that has been brought to the attention of the school by the parents in the last week is the collective "christian" worship in the assembly conducted by the new headmaster, how intimidating and insensitive that he should do this at a school which is 95% muslim, we sent our children to a secular school and for them to have a broad learning and understanding of ALL religions and not any one religion to dominate. Imagine a muslim headmaster conducting a muslim prayer at a school attended by 95% christians, jews, sikhs or hindus. I can imagine the T&A headline "muslim headmaster preaching Islam" in our schools. A very different story would have emerged. How come this issue was not mentioned in the T&A? Whilst we are on this subject let me also inform you that the school is in the process of becoming an Academy, the preferred provider by the school and its headmaster for the academy is a company named "Oasis Community Learning"
Their teaching ethos is as below:

"Our ethos is an expression of our character - it is a statement of who we are and therefore the lens through which we assess all we do. The work of Oasis Community Learning is motivated and inspired by the life, message and example of Christ"

I believe Christianity to be a religion of love and peace however if i wanted to send my children to a school in which its ethos is firmly rooted in religion then i would have sent them to a Muslim school. Most parents prefer to send their children to a non faith based school.
Why is the school not conveying this clear message to the parents about Oasis? Why has there been no parent consultation on this decision? Why is the headmaster so defensive and adamant that he pursues Oasis?

Given the fact that the new headmaster has a Christian Missionary Background, It is these issues that are causing concern to parents and rightly so....

As a head teacher is appointed by the governors, perhaps you might like to ask them why he got the job.
I personally would prefer it if religion wasn't taught in schools and that faith schools didn't exist, good citizenship would be a more useful subject to the majority of people, I should think.

Just received a text. Challenge College Parents mtg today @8pm @Pakistan Community Centre. Parents genuine concerns were ignored when 132 kids sent home. Now the school is pushing ahead with Christian based ethos academy on thursday. Mtg is for parents to say stop and consult us the parent first b4 decision is made. Plz Fwd

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:

Popsi Kann wrote:
Interesting to see that the Labour Party Trolls have made it onto the T&A comments section...They cant beat Respect on Policy so their best tactic is to attack George Galloway, If that is Labour strategy for Bradford for the next few years then they are more weak and pathetic then I imagined.

Lets not forget George Galloway is the only MP that has met with the parents of the school kids sent home and has a much better incite then the idiots posting against him on hear.

Final point....T&A should stop acting as the mouthpiece for the establishment and start being more fair and balanced in their reporting, where are the parents in this article?? am sure they would have a lot to say about a Head Teacher imposing rules without consulting the school governors

Unlike the RESPECT trolls who have latched on also.

Any comment on why a white, convert Respect party member felt the need to withdraw from the party amid claims of bullying and underhand tactics and his parting words of ' if you are white, convert or not, the respect party is not for you'

This was a very staunch and vocal member too, someone who makes valid points but doesn't come across as fanatic or crazy as so many do, driven out of the party he was, in his words, 'a decison maker' but there appears to be an undercurrent of 'true decison makers' who are not votable or even respectable people.

I'd be putting your own house in order first Popsi Khan.

You must be seriously lost & confused but I expect nothing less from simple minds, if you have an issue with someone leaving the Respect Party then go speak to them,oh and what has that got to do with this article?

The initial outlay for uniform may seem expensive but is far cheaper than buying many different outfits.The competition for clothes was not cost effective to me once my daughter was in a "dress as you like" sixth form. Students feel smart and part of a team in uniform. The Head did give a week's grace before sending students home. Get the little things right and the work ethos sets in.

I hope he can also get them to understand what a litter bin is for whilst he's at it. The local streets around Challenge(d) College are littered with pop-tins and crisp packets on a daily basis despite the plethora of bins in the area, much to the disgust of the residents.

rangzaib singh wrote:
So where shall i start from from...
Seriously this new head has made so many mistakes and errors in Challenge college (where my son goes) in only his 3rd week. So why is it that i hear no parents complaining and people sticking up for this so called "Head"


Uniform: Basically he is telling our kids to wear black shoes and bags and until just recently i have heard that we need businesslike shoes and bags for our kids! I cannot afford to change clothing over and over for my kids for silly little issues E.G./ Little stitching marks. This is out of order i am skint till my next pay day so why doesn't he just give us the money to pay for our kids so called business wear.


Business wear: When did challenge college become a business school, i haven't been informed and neither have any other parents therefore it is not a business school and the head has no right to point out that our kids need business wear!


Excluding our kids: My son will soon start his GCSE and my niece is in year 11 at grades D-C in other words a borderline child due to this needs to be in school every day and minute and therefore has not missed anything until she was excluded for a wrong bag which had a logo on and because of this sent home even though it fit plenty of a4 folders without creases which was required on the letters we received. So why was she excluded? Why is she missing important time of her education. For having the correct bag?


Education: This head was told that he had turned many poor schools into successful educated school's but is wasting our year 11's and 10's furthermore time excluding them for pitiful reasons! At the moment it is not looking good.


Also apparently he was performing an assembly recently talking about the Olympics and paralympics when all of a sudden he changed the subject to Christianity in a school which is 95% of Muslims. Now i am not racist but this is just not on. I have also been researching his recent history where he was preaching Christianity in many schools in the UK to Africa.




So please parents, neighbors and community dont fall for this man he is not correct for Challenge College neither a headteacher help me and complain about this man on this page.

Thank you.

Sorry matey but England is a Christian nation after all and the Head has every right to address the children in a Christian context.

mrbradford wrote:
Typical of T&A to report a one sided story, let me put the record straight, i am a parent of two children that attend Challenge School. I first recieved a letter about the new uniform policy around mid August through the post, i had already bought the shoes, bags etc. The issue here is not the change of policy but the process and the timescales to implement these changes. The school had allowed a culture of "wear whatever you want" for years and then to change this culture in a matter of days is rather ambitious and financially impractical to say the least for some parents. I along with other parents was elated that the school was finally trying to implement some discipline in our children i.e. uniform, bags, shoes and to rid of patterned haircuts, majority of people cant stand these haircuts. The way T&A have reported it read that parents did not want the new changes and were not prepared to have their children disciplined, what a load of rubbish!! their negative reporting stems from the fact that George Galloway had commented on this issue therefore lets bash him and the parents that he is defending. Whatever issues they have with him should not reflect on us as parents. Why did the T&A not try to contact any parents and speak to them to get their views. Everyone is forgetting that parents are major stakeholders of the school and therefore should be consulted on all issues. Not a single word from a parents perspective on this issue. And then to allow comments on this artice is to invite all the racists and islamaphobes to air their ignorance, filth and vile, this is not only irresponsible but as far as i am concerned T&A are party to it. I wonder what the style of reporting would have been had this school been a 95% white middle class school?? I guess very very different and sympathetic towards the parents. The second issue that has been brought to the attention of the school by the parents in the last week is the collective "christian" worship in the assembly conducted by the new headmaster, how intimidating and insensitive that he should do this at a school which is 95% muslim, we sent our children to a secular school and for them to have a broad learning and understanding of ALL religions and not any one religion to dominate. Imagine a muslim headmaster conducting a muslim prayer at a school attended by 95% christians, jews, sikhs or hindus. I can imagine the T&A headline "muslim headmaster preaching Islam" in our schools. A very different story would have emerged. How come this issue was not mentioned in the T&A? Whilst we are on this subject let me also inform you that the school is in the process of becoming an Academy, the preferred provider by the school and its headmaster for the academy is a company named "Oasis Community Learning"
Their teaching ethos is as below:

"Our ethos is an expression of our character - it is a statement of who we are and therefore the lens through which we assess all we do. The work of Oasis Community Learning is motivated and inspired by the life, message and example of Christ"

I believe Christianity to be a religion of love and peace however if i wanted to send my children to a school in which its ethos is firmly rooted in religion then i would have sent them to a Muslim school. Most parents prefer to send their children to a non faith based school.
Why is the school not conveying this clear message to the parents about Oasis? Why has there been no parent consultation on this decision? Why is the headmaster so defensive and adamant that he pursues Oasis?

Given the fact that the new headmaster has a Christian Missionary Background, It is these issues that are causing concern to parents and rightly so....

England is a Christian country, not a secular one, and he has every right to address the kids in that context, whether they/you like it or not.

You will actually find the above us incorrect legally. Please read the education act. Then human rights charter on education.

Rules are there for a reason and not to be broken. When they leave school and depending on what job they do they may end up having to wear a uniform, so starting them off at an early age doent do any harm. Well done to the headmaster.

sa9181 wrote:
You will actually find the above us incorrect legally. Please read the education act. Then human rights charter on education.

The Education Act says
"The 1944 Education Act stated that ‘the school day in every county school and every voluntary school shall begin with collective worship on the part of all the pupils in attendance’. In accordance with Britain’s traditional respect for religious freedom, the 1944 Act also gave parents the right to withdraw their child, perhaps in favour of separate arrangements.

By the time the 1988 Education Reform Act was going through Parliament, Britain had become a much more diverse nation. As a result of moves within the state educational establishment, either to ignore the legal requirements for daily worship altogether, or to lump all religions together into a multi-faith, multi-cultural mish mash, many felt it was necessary to reinforce the position of Christianity as the main, traditional religion of this country.

It should also be noted that legal opinion suggests that ‘mainly of a broadly Christian character’ does not mean that other faiths can be mixed in with Christianity – that would be multi-faith or syncretist worship, which the law is intended to prevent."

If you genuinely believe your child does not benefit from the education offered at this school you have the right to remove him/her.
Alternatively, have you considered standing as a governor and actually doing something positive rather than pontificating - remember "empty vessels make most noise"

mrbradford wrote:
Typical of T&A to report a one sided story, let me put the record straight, i am a parent of two children that attend Challenge School. I first recieved a letter about the new uniform policy around mid August through the post, i had already bought the shoes, bags etc. The issue here is not the change of policy but the process and the timescales to implement these changes. The school had allowed a culture of "wear whatever you want" for years and then to change this culture in a matter of days is rather ambitious and financially impractical to say the least for some parents. I along with other parents was elated that the school was finally trying to implement some discipline in our children i.e. uniform, bags, shoes and to rid of patterned haircuts, majority of people cant stand these haircuts. The way T&A have reported it read that parents did not want the new changes and were not prepared to have their children disciplined, what a load of rubbish!! their negative reporting stems from the fact that George Galloway had commented on this issue therefore lets bash him and the parents that he is defending. Whatever issues they have with him should not reflect on us as parents. Why did the T&A not try to contact any parents and speak to them to get their views. Everyone is forgetting that parents are major stakeholders of the school and therefore should be consulted on all issues. Not a single word from a parents perspective on this issue. And then to allow comments on this artice is to invite all the racists and islamaphobes to air their ignorance, filth and vile, this is not only irresponsible but as far as i am concerned T&A are party to it. I wonder what the style of reporting would have been had this school been a 95% white middle class school?? I guess very very different and sympathetic towards the parents. The second issue that has been brought to the attention of the school by the parents in the last week is the collective "christian" worship in the assembly conducted by the new headmaster, how intimidating and insensitive that he should do this at a school which is 95% muslim, we sent our children to a secular school and for them to have a broad learning and understanding of ALL religions and not any one religion to dominate. Imagine a muslim headmaster conducting a muslim prayer at a school attended by 95% christians, jews, sikhs or hindus. I can imagine the T&A headline "muslim headmaster preaching Islam" in our schools. A very different story would have emerged. How come this issue was not mentioned in the T&A? Whilst we are on this subject let me also inform you that the school is in the process of becoming an Academy, the preferred provider by the school and its headmaster for the academy is a company named "Oasis Community Learning"
Their teaching ethos is as below:

"Our ethos is an expression of our character - it is a statement of who we are and therefore the lens through which we assess all we do. The work of Oasis Community Learning is motivated and inspired by the life, message and example of Christ"

I believe Christianity to be a religion of love and peace however if i wanted to send my children to a school in which its ethos is firmly rooted in religion then i would have sent them to a Muslim school. Most parents prefer to send their children to a non faith based school.
Why is the school not conveying this clear message to the parents about Oasis? Why has there been no parent consultation on this decision? Why is the headmaster so defensive and adamant that he pursues Oasis?

Given the fact that the new headmaster has a Christian Missionary Background, It is these issues that are causing concern to parents and rightly so....

You seem to have missed an important part of the ethos, which goes on to say
"This is encapsulated by the following five statements:

a passion to include everyone
a desire to treat everyone equally, respecting differences
a commitment to healthy and open relationships
a deep sense of purpose that things can change and be transformed
a sense of perseverance to keep going for the long haul "
If you are going to submit a long, rambling diatribe, at least quote fully and completely and not pick the bits that suit.
I would have thought that as a muslim, you would respect a man of faith and integrity.

Well done the headmaster!!!! All the rules, whatever they are have to be enforced, or else it turns into a farce.
By the way.....George who? Pah!!!!!!

My children's school has equally smart and strict uniform requirements. It is very smart and makes the children feel as though they belong to a good school. It is a christian school but has Muslim children there who do not have to stay in the room when prayers are said. I don't have much money myself but when you sign up to having children you know they will attend a senior school and you know you will need to purchase a uniform and this should be added in to your budget.
There is no excuse for the wrong uniform even if you receive benefits.

If you can't be bothered to save money towards your children's uniforms then maybe you shouldn't have a child.

Arguing with authority in this way is setting your own children up for a fall in life. Galloway represents one of the worst areas in Bradford for non working people and maybe this shows us all why that is. Maybe they all prefer to fight the system than join in with it and tow the line. You all seem to think you are above the rules and regulations that others have to follow.

Popsy khan it is you again. Where ever Gobby Galloway name is mentioned you are there to give people abuse. You harassed the no means no page relentlessly, you harassed his critics on twitter and here you are again doing it on here.

Do you actually realise you are the best advert for helping the Labour party to get more votes?

What a guy.

It’s funny misinformed opinion masquerading as knowledge, I know it’s hard for many to understand and are unable to bring themselves to question authority, god forbid but if you bothered to even talk to those who feel aggrieved you will realize that the statements put out by the headteacher are incorrect and misleading. Parents were NOT informed of the uniform policy at the end of term, in FACT the letters were sent out AFTER many parents had bought the uniform and bags, in some instances some people have had to buy items twice and still not good enough for the school, a governor confirmed the FACTS in the open meeting. Many hateful and disingenuous comments here about following rules. The FACT is that the Headteacher did NOT give any opportunity to withdraw their child from an act of collective worship and the attitude within these comments if parents don’t like it at the school then they should remove their child, well that would be 95% of the kids– very sensible heh? And where should they go to Ilkey Grammar? You clearly have no idea that choice can be rarely exercised for the majority of inner city Bradfordian’s. A symptom of the incompetent establishment that some of you hold very dear and most likely part of.

The only person breaking the rules is the headteacher , change of uniform (not approved by the governing body), collective worship being forced onto kids, excluding children based communication that was never sent out at the end of term.

With respect to party politics at least one party is willing to listen to parents and represent them instead of themselves. Rather than spouting contempt, get some facts from the stakeholders and unbelievable is it sounds that includes parents.