Bristol school's no coats rule causes upset

Digitech Studio School opened in September on the grounds of the former Grange School in Warmley

Pupils at a school have been banned from wearing coats when walking between lessons outside because it looks "messy", it has been claimed.

Digitech Studio School in Warmley opened in September and is part of the Cabot Learning Federation.

Parent Marcus Clark said: "It's -2C outside, and they were made to walk outside without their coats on. It's unacceptable."

The principal said not wearing coats for the short walk was "reasonable".

Lis Jolley said: "There is a short walk between the main building and the PE facilities (100m).

"Whilst we believe that moving to this space in a jumper and blazer is acceptable and a reasonable request, we are very happy to work with parents where this is an issue for individual students."

Mr Clarke said: "She (the principal) basically said to me it would look a mess if the children walked across wearing different coloured coats, and it was -2C outside."

'Freezing classrooms'

There have been complaints about temperatures inside the free school's buildings.

Ms Jolley admitted there had been heating issues, but she said extra heaters had been used when necessary and the heating had been fixed.

The school said it had met legal requirements of keeping classrooms at above 18C.

But one 14-year-old girl described classrooms as "freezing cold".

A boy, also 14, said students were not being allowed to wear coats inside.

"I understand it if the school was warm and heated up - but it's freezing," he said.

Ms Jolley said wearing "smart business dress" was part of the school's ethos, which stipulated that students did not wear coats in the building.

They could instead be stored in a "designated room or left with their tutor".