A headteacher was forced to scrap a non-uniform day for pupils with a full attendance record, following an angry backlash from parents.

Fleetdown Primary School in Lunedale Rd, Dartford, was due to host the non uniform day today, but the decision to offer the privilege only to pupils who hadn't had a day off caused uproar, with some branding the event unfair and discriminatory.

The outrage prompted the school to cancel the day, but with the school under-fire headteacher Caroline Sadler was sticking by the principles behind the idea.

"Regular school attendance is vital in ensuring that every pupil gains the most from their educational opportunities," she said in a statement.

"At Fleetdown Primary, we try to encourage good attendance and intended to introduce the own-clothes day as an incentive.

"However, following the negative reaction from some parents who felt it was unfair on children who had been sick and missed schooling through no fault of their own, we have decided not to go ahead with this particular incentive."

One parent, who wished not to be named, said the concept of the non uniform day for a select group of childrebn was unfair and unprofessional

"This policy was discriminatory for a number of reasons, but especially for children with special educational needs," they added. "To be fair, everything must start with a level playing field, however children with disabilities such as ADHD & Autism etc, have to have regular visits to paediatricians and clinics to monitor medication etc.

"This is marked as an authorised absence however is not included in the percentage result so they have zero chance of ever achieving 100% attendance."

And they said the concept would also divide families, adding: "imagine a scenario where you have three children at the same school and two children are given the privilege of wearing non school uniform, and the other child has to wear their regular uniform. They ask why, and the parent explains “Well, because you were unwell three months ago”. How does a child understand that?

"It would also divide friendship groups and create unhealthy competition which leads to teasing and even bullying."

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