A secondary school in Ashford is making changes to its uniform...just two years after the current one was introduced.

The proposal to introduce a blazer, tie and white shirts at the The North School, in Essella Road, has been unveiled to the parents of the 1,200 strong student body.

The plan released by the school shows that the changes would be put into place for new starters from September this year, and then existing pupils from September 2016.

Although current pupils would not have to adopt the blazer until next year, they would be required to switch from polo tops to shirts and wear the new tie this September.

Head of school Nicki Hodges said that the blazers will make the children feel more “grown up” and that the new uniform is “cost effective, smart and practical”.

She said: “Since we started working at the school many parents and countless pupils have asked us about introducing blazers.

“It is outrageous. There is no need to change the uniform. The school is forcing parents to pay out again..." - parent

“We did promise to look into bringing in blazers but did not want to bring in too many changes at once and so have delayed it until now.

“However we have taken advice from the local suppliers, parents, staff and pupils and designed the new uniform to be cost effective, smart and practical.”

She adds: “Although parents will have to buy a blazer they will not have to buy a number of sweatshirts as they did before in different colours depending on the year, this should save money in the long run.”

One unhappy mother, who did not want to be named, has slammed the plans, blasting them unnecessary as parents were only asked to buy new trousers and skirts with the school’s logo on in September 2013.

She said: “It is outrageous. There is no need to change the uniform. The school is forcing parents to pay out again.

“My son liked the North School because the uniform included the polo shirt. But now they want a shirt and tie, and a blazer next year.

“The uniform is already smart in my eyes. I think they should have consulted with parents.”

Mrs Hodges said that pupils were consulted over the colour of the new blazer and that the vast majority chose black and were pleased with the “design and the practical pockets they would have”.

She said: “They felt the blazer was more ‘grown up’.

“The parents forum have been really helpful in making decisions about the uniform too and they really liked the designs of the blazers.

“We sent the details home to parents recently and have only had one complaint.”

The North School last introduced a new uniform policy in September 2013, demanding that pupils in Years 7-11 wear either school trousers or a school skirt with the school’s logo on it.

In addition, they had to wear the school’s sweatshirt and polo shirt - which also had the school’s logo on them.

On the first day of school that year, it was claimed that up to 60 students were sent home for not complying with the new policy.

At the time, then head teacher Lesley Ellis defended sending pupils home, claiming the new uniform was brought in to make things easier for parents.

Parents however claimed the new uniform was expensive and uncomfortable for the students.

In response, a Facebook group called ‘No go for Logo’ was set up, attracting hundreds of signatures from parents.