PENGLAIS School’s new headteacher will “open communication” with parents with a series of initiatives after her tenure got off to a rocky start with a row over a new school uniform policy.

Almost 500 pupils at the school were reportedly put in detention on the first day of term after falling foul of the strict new uniform policy, with parents claiming that communication on the new policy had been “a joke”.

In a letter to parents this week, the new headteacher, Mair Hughes, said that she wants to “open communication between the school and parents” and has introduced two new events to bring it about.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, Mrs Hughes said that she “makes no apology for wanting our students to be smartly dressed”.

“There have clearly been some initial issues surrounding the enforcement of the new uniform policy and as a school we are working with parents and the community to ensure the issues that have arisen are addressed appropriately,” she said.

“Our new uniform policy is a departure from last year and is indeed more rigorous than previously, and for very good reason.

“It is my firm belief that developing a culture of high expectation and achievement, respect for oneself and others, begins with taking pride in the smartness of your appearance.”

To improve communication, curriculum evenings for parents in each year group will be held, while Mrs Hughes will also be holding a weekly ‘headteacher’s surgery’ every Thursday between 5pm and 6pm.

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