Fury as school bans students from wearing JUMPERS until November as angry parents hit back at scathing letter from headteacher

Kelvin MacKenzie rages against 'subsidy junkies' relying on schools to feed their kids
GB News
Holly Bishop

By Holly Bishop


Published: 29/04/2025

- 22:49

Under the new rules, students must wear their blazers 'in every situation' throughout the school day

Parents at a Surrey school are furious after the headteacher banned students from wearing jumpers until November.

Winston Churchill School in Woking implemented the controversial rule when pupils returned from Easter holidays on April 22.


The ban will remain in place until the end of October, sparking outrage among families who claim the policy ignores Britain's unpredictable weather.

The mixed secondary school's decision has triggered a heated dispute between parents and administrators.

Winston Churchill School

Winston Churchill School in Woking implemented the controversial rule when pupils returned from Easter holidays on April 22

Google Street View

Under the new rules, students must wear their blazers "in every situation" throughout the school day.

They are only permitted to remove blazers if the weather is hot and they ask "politely" for permission.

The school has stated that children can wear a "base layer" under their shirts for warmth.

Students are also allowed to wear multiple layers while walking to school, but must comply with the blazer-only policy once they arrive.

Angry parents have been sending their children to school wearing jumpers in defiance of the ban.

Some have also sent "foul-mouthed emails" to the school administration.

MORE LIKE THIS:

A petition has been launched to reinstate jumpers, with parents arguing the policy "makes no sense" given the "unpredictable weather" and "chilly mornings".

The petition states that wearing jumpers "isn't just about warmth - it's about comfort, confidence, and school pride".

Headteacher Zoe Johnson-Walker has responded with a scathing letter, refusing to back down on the policy.

"Our school has very clear expectations and we expect everyone to buy into the whole package and not to cherry-pick the rules that suit them and ignore those that don't," she wrote.

She warned that parents encouraging rule-breaking are placing their children "in direct conflict with the school".

The headteacher thanked the "majority" of parents who support the policy while criticising those "undermining" her authority.

A petition has been launched to reinstate jumpers, with parents arguing the policy 'makes no sense' given the 'unpredictable weather' and 'chilly mornings'

Getty


In her letter, Johnson-Walker explained her decision-making is influenced by managing 1,500 children, unlike parents who only have "one or two to look after".

She complained about receiving abusive language from some parents, stating such communications would be "printed and logged" in students' files.

The headteacher also lamented the school's "challenging" budget and difficulty recruiting teachers.

She blamed parents for the school's PTA being on the verge of collapse due to "so little support".

Johnson-Walker concluded her extraordinary letter with a rallying cry to parents.

"It would be easy to allow everyone to do what they liked and only follow the rules that they chose but our school would not be a safe or positive place to be," she stated.

She emphasised that parents want schools with "a safe and disciplined approach" reflected in uniform standards.

Her final message appealed for unity: "We are always here for your child, I need you to now be here for your school."