A FUMING dad is taking on his son's school after they confiscated the lad's warm winter coat and placed him in isolation in a row over uniform rules.
Aaron Bayley, 47, says his 12-year-old son Levon is being forced to wear a "wafer-thin" school-branded coat in contradiction of government regulations.
Aaron, from Newcastle, slammed Jesmond Park Academy for "not looking after the kids' welfare" and said he's determined to get the policies changed.
He told The Sun Online: "Many parents are unhappy with the rules.
"The policies aren't in line with government rules.
"It's not necessary for coats to be branded."
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He explained that government guidance is that school should keep branded clothing "to a minimum" and should not require parents to buy branded versions of "everyday" items like coats, which could be used on non-school days.
He added that objections to Levy's uniform were pointless as pupils aren't allowed to wear their coats on school grounds anyway and have to take them off at the gate before going in.
The furious father insisted that he'd take the school on by sending Levy in with his thicker coat in cold weather regardless of the consequences.
He fumed: "In severe weather they need to have flexibility so parents can send kids to school knowing they'll be warm.
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"What's the point of the branded coat? They have to take them off before going in. They go into school soaking wet.
"It's very draconian…it's a dickensian attitude towards the kids."
He pointed out that the school allowed students to come in wearing PE kit in last summer's heatwave, but refuse to be similarly flexible on uniform for cold weather.
According to Aaron, Levy was hospitalised with a "bad flu" and two medical experts said that the school coat was "not suitable" for the cold weather.
He claimed that he measured the coat and that it was less than four millimeters thick and "not even waterproof", while Levy's coat from home was 36 millimeters.
Aaron added that forcing parents to buy a £60 branded coat from a single supplier, rather than a cheaper plain coat from a supermarket, was "wrong" and claimed the school have "never shopped around for a different supplier".
He raged: "It's not fair on parents or kids.
"The trust seem to be running it more like a business than a school. It's almost like a dictatorship.
"Their policies are wrong, we're talking about kids' health."
A spokesperson for Jesmond Park Academy said; "“We are extremely proud of the high standards of uniform that we have within our Trust and we believe this contributes to a hugely positive ethos at the academy.
"There are items available within our uniform range that enable students to wear up to 4 layers of clothing should they wish to, including a fleece for underneath their school coat.
"We consistently go to great lengths to support parents with free or second hand items of school uniform and by responding to specific student needs, which has been gratefully appreciated in these difficult times.
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"Moreover, those students who can provide medical proof of the need to wear their own coats due to health conditions are allowed to do so."
They added that the school is willing to engaged with parents, but expect uniform requirements to be met at all times unless exemptions are in place.
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