Manshead School as a whole had 1,026 pupils on roll in 2021. Now, it’s under fire for its overly punitive uniform policy and recent disciplinary practices. New headteacher Wajid Tufiq, who started in June. He’s under the microscope as parents, just like you, raise concerns about the enforcement of these rules and how they are affecting the overall well-being of students.
The school’s uniform policy includes that students wear a black blazer, along with a black-and-yellow school tie. These rules, according to the administration, foster a productive learning environment, encourage equity among the students, and promote a sense of community. While parents were made aware of these expectations last July, many parents have complained about the way some of these rules have been enforced.
A Year 11 student Yuma Hao was met with a shock when school administrators turned them away. They were sent to isolation just for wearing trainers. Kerry Roblett, the student’s mother, told local news that her daughter left a suicide note. It explained that she had to wear trainers due to a recent foot injury. Roblett voiced her concerns, saying, “The rules are a little bit unfair. We feel the children definitely aren’t getting heard, and they’re definitely getting treated like criminals.”
The lack of a clear prohibition on trainers on the school’s website creates confusion about how strictly to enforce the uniform policy. This lack of focus has only heightened the tensions that have been growing between parents and school leaders.
Furthermore, Manshead School has established new lunch arrangements. Each year group now has an allocated canteen slot. This modification makes it possible for students in Year 11 to access the canteens of other year groups during certain periods. The administration is hoping these changes will address some early worries from parents.
Access to a toilet has similarly been a fraught issue. Parents told us that signs marking some toilet options as staff only had appeared just in the last couple of days. Government guidance suggests there should be at least one toilet for every 20 pupils. Yet no law mandates a minimum threshold for doing so. In response to queries, a school spokesperson stated, “Food was available and toilets were open throughout the day.”
Headteacher Wajid Tufiq illustrated the need to limit access to certain toilet blocks. He echoed calls for safety and increased awareness of students crossing high traffic areas. He stated, “Keeping all toilet blocks open presents a safeguarding issue. By keeping access limited to specific, smaller blocks, we can better monitor student traffic and ensure the safety of everyone in school. Your child’s well-being is our highest priority, and we believe this policy is crucial for maintaining a secure environment.”
Manshead School in Dunstable preparing for a new inspection. We’re looking forward to seeing how these policies are strengthened in response to parent advocacy and community opposition!
