A school in the South West is clamping down on behaviour and uniform rules after students recently returned for the new year. Penair School in Truro, Cornwall, sent a letter to parents reminding them that it would be “reinforcing” and “reminding” pupils of its expectations.
Students reportedly returned to mass detentions on their first week back at school for 2025. One parent claims that up to 240 children were sent to detention on Tuesday (January 8) as a result.
As reported by Cornwall Live, the anonymous parent said: “240 kids in detention in one day for little things like a top button undone or a shirt not quite tucked in seems completely bonkers. Sounds like Penair has gone uniform-crazy like other schools. 240 pupils in one day sounds totally ridiculous and over the top.”
A pupil added: “Some teachers look like they live on the streets, but you get detention if a bit of your shirt is untucked. It’s so stupid. Now the sports hall has become the overflow car park for detentions. That’s how ridiculous it’s got.”
The school said it will not be issuing any reminders and children will be issued with a ten-minute detention the following day if “high expectations” are not met. It said that uniform should be “worn correctly” from the moment children arrive at school until their departure.
The full letter sent to parents and guardians by the school reads: “As we start a new year, we are reinforcing and reminding pupils of our expectations around behaviour and uniform. We expect our uniform to be worn correctly in all areas of the school, and this applies from when children arrive until departure.
“Up until this point, staff have politely requested that students adjust their uniform if it is being worn incorrectly. Unfortunately, far too many of our pupils either ignore these requests or simply readjust their uniform when out of sight of the teacher.
“As of the start of this term we will not be issuing pupils with reminders any longer. Pupils are in control of how they wear their uniform, and our high expectations will be reinforced through our behaviour procedures.
“If a student is not wearing their uniform correctly, they will be issued with a 10-minute lunchtime detention the following day. This was explained to all students two weeks before the end of term through the assembly program.
“All students were reminded of this first thing on Monday morning by their tutor. I am pleased to share that the large majority of our students are following this request and staff are spending less time having conversation regarding uniform infringements and more time focusing on lessons.
“We feel strongly that a smart uniform instils a sense of unity, professionalism, and belonging within the school community, leading to increased motivation and a higher standard of work. Many school leaders believe that these uniforms improve both academic performance and behaviour.
“Additionally, uniforms reduce visible inequalities among pupils, promoting a more equitable school environment. Our priority remains to catch the students making a positive contribution and our rewards system continues to recognise pupils’ positive efforts, and our allocation of positive points outweighs negative points by 9:1.
“Our rewards shop has proved popular with pupils who can have more instant access to rewards for demonstrating positive behaviours which include wearing the uniform correctly. If any parent would like a tour of our school in order to experience the daily culture of learning and expectations, I would be happy to make time to meet with you.”