KEVICC Totnes to re-introduce school uniforms

A Devon school is re-introducing uniforms after abolishing them nine years ago.

King Edward VI Community College in Totnes, also known as KEVICC, abolished its uniform code in 2003.

It said it was bringing back uniforms for its 1,700 pupils after a report to governors suggested the school was sometimes perceived as "scruffy".

Principal Kate Mason added that she was concerned students felt under pressure to stay trendy.

'Freedom of speech'

Ms Mason said that she had originally agreed with the move to remove uniforms, but added that she understood some of the difficulties the abolition raised.

She said: "Now I understand the increasing pressures on students to wear fashionable things, and the pressure it puts on their parents.

"It is something that we must listen to."

The 450-year-old school, which includes a sixth form and a performing arts college, said it had also been concerned that perceptions of scruffiness were putting parents off sending their children there.

It also recently got a "satisfactory" rating from Ofsted inspectors.

However, not all parents said they agreed it was a good idea to re-introduce uniforms.

Tracey Hamilton, who has three children at the school, said: "I think that in an environment where they are told to do so much, children need to express their own individual personalities by having freedom of speech in what they wear."

The design of the new uniform has yet to be finalised.