A SCHOOL has defended its position after introducing new items of uniform which some parents say is too expensive and not of high quality.

Richmond School and Sixth Form College, which has been criticised over its move to make it compulsory for students to wear trousers and skirts branded with the school logo, only available from one supplier.

There had been complaints about the additional cost of the items, about clothes not arriving in time for the start of term, and about a lack of consultation with parents.

A spokesman for the uniform supplier, NextGen Clothing Ltd, has said all orders made before the deadline of August 15 had been delivered on time.

He said: "As stated on our website, we asked all parents of all schools to place orders up to August 15 and these would be delivered before the start of the school term.

"All of these orders were successfully delivered as described and we are talking of thousands of orders. Orders received after this date are being processed and delivered on a daily basis.

"Regarding orders that have stated to be wrong – some parents may have ordered a piece of uniform in the wrong size for their child. We offer a free returns service so there is no additional cost to the parents if this has been a mistake on their ordering.

"We also held three fitting sessions at Richmond School and Northallerton College for parents and students to attend in order that students could try on all items of uniform and order the correct sizing."

The school's website states: "Our school uniform is important to us. It is one way in which we identify ourselves as a school family and it promotes a strong, cohesive school identity which supports high standards and expectations in all areas of school life.

"It promotes harmony between different groups represented in the school, and it enhances security, assisting the school to identify individual pupils in order to maintain good order, and to more easily spot those who shouldn't be on the school site.

"The school believes it is important because it looks smart, wears well, is cost effective, contributes to a sense of belonging, reduces ‘fashion competition’ between children, and prepares students well for similar demands in the workplace in future years.

"All children should wear the uniform and we encourage them to maintain an acceptable standard of clean and tidy dress in school. The uniform has been chosen after extensive consultation. It is readily available and inexpensive."

An online petition has been launched by parents at change.org under the name 'Stop children being punished as parents object in buying poor quality school uniform'.