Secret donor pays for pupils' blazers

The surprise deal has been made by an anonymous benefactor who is supporting a drive to get all pupils wearing blazers at Bellshill Academy.

The offer comes as the school's headteacher Anne Munro insisted she had been given overwhelming backing for her strict policy on uniforms - which has come under fire from some parents who have found themselves hard-pushed to afford the school clothing.

The secret source - thought to be a local businessman - has vowed to hand over a voucher for 10 to any parent who needs help to buy a 28 blazer.

A braided version of the blazer, worn by pupils in positions of responsibility such as prefects, costs 40.

The price of school uniforms has come under fire in recent years as bills for uniforms with logos or clothing for a specific school have hit parents hard.

Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, said there was growing opposition to a formal school uniform, which can cost hundreds of pounds a year.

She said: "There is a general acceptance that everything is going up in terms of parents paying for their child's education - whether it is uniforms, trips or paying for materials.

"But when it comes to uniforms, there is certainly quite a lot of debate.

"Parents are generally in favour of a dress code. They want to see their youngsters turn out looking smart.

"But the argument comes when it comes to a full school uniform. Some parents feel that an expensive uniform can exclude some families who just cannot afford to pay for it."

Some Scottish schools, including Hyndland Secondary School in Glasgow's West End and James Gillespie's High School in Edinburgh, do not have uniforms, instead allowing pupils to wear their own clothes.

It is thought that the cost to the Bellshill's generous donor could reach almost 6,000 if every parent with a child at the 600-pupil school took up the offer in the coming term.

Mrs Munro took over as head of Bellshill Academy last year.

She said: "The funding for this is being provided from a school benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous. The introduction of braided blazers has had a major impact in further raising the profile of our school within the community.

"Our senior students have been proud to wear their blazers throughout the year.

"The decision to introduce a policy of blazers for all pupils follows representation from our parent council, pupils and parents of P7 pupils."Some parents have argued that the demand for blazers is unfair.

One parent said: "I would question whether most pupils would want to wear a blazer. I know that at another school in the area pupils hide their blazers in their bags and only put it on when spotted by a teacher.

"They are saying the new blazers will be waterproof, but I doubt that, and when it's raining the children will need another coat on top of their blazer."

David Jamieson, chairman of Bellshill Academy Parent's Council, said: "We and the pupils are totally behind the change.

"We feel that giving the pupils a sense of pride in the school is continuing the hard work started by Mrs Munro and her staff since her appointment last year."