A high school which banned its students from wearing non-branded coats has accused some parents of using 'upsetting, abusive and inflammatory language' towards staff and governors.
In a statement, Bishop Heber in Malpas, Cheshire, urged parents to raise any concerns they have with the controversial rules - which only permit students to wear the branded school jacket on the Chester Road grounds - in a formal manner with the school complaints policy.
It added that 'no uniform will ever satisfy everyone, whether on cost or style'.
READ MORE: Man facing £2,000 fine and date in court for lockdown Lake District walk
Last week CheshireLive reported that parents had been left furious after Bishop Heber confiscated children's non-school branded coats while they were outside.
Photos showed staff milling around in warm overcoats while some children were just in jumpers.
One mum said that her asthmatic son was put into isolation for retrieving his confiscated coat as he was cold.
The school says it believes if kids were allowed to wear their own coats, it would 'erode the great relationships we have with the students' because they might end up wearing hoodies.
Parents have also complained about the cost and quality of the branded windcheater.
In the statement, prepared by headteacher David Curry and chair of governors Suzanne Anderson, it states that the school branded coat was chosen and designed by students back in 2009 and costs £10, adding that there are no current stock issues with the supplier.
When CheshireLive visited the shop which supplies the school clothing, the price of a coat was £25.
The statement described the current uniform as 'one of the cheapest to buy in the region' and said the school has always been committed to protecting 'the vulnerable members of the school community who could not afford expensive ‘status-symbol’ coats'.
The Chester Chronicle first reported on the school's coat ban in 2004, when students staged a walk-out in protest at the rule.
The full Bishop Heber statement read: "Many of you will be aware of recent social media posts and press reports concerning the uniform policy at Bishop Heber High School. The Governors and School Leaders are concerned about the accuracy of those posts and reports.
"Almost 20 years ago, the school made a commitment to an affordable uniform policy, and we believe the current uniform is one of the cheapest to buy in the region and complies with the affordable school uniform legislation being introduced this year.
"The uniform policy is annexed to the Behaviour and Discipline Policy and students and parents are aware on joining the school that any coat can be worn to and from school but only the Heber coat and fleece can be worn at school.
"The coat was chosen and designed by students in 2009 and costs £10.
"We have been told that there are currently no stock issues with the Heber coat, and we are very keen to hear from parents who have faced problems so that we can liaise with our supplier.
"Since the start of term, the government advice has been to keep classrooms warm, notwithstanding the need to ventilate classrooms to reduce the spread of Covid.
"The school is confident that students are not sitting in classrooms that are unusually cold for the time of year and students should not need to wear coats to keep warm.
"Additionally, all students have access to an indoor space and/or classroom during any breaks. We hope that parents and the wider community appreciate that governors and school leaders are trying to do their best in what has been an exceptionally difficult period for us all.
"Governors hope that parents will use the school complaints policy if they have a concern.
"Such complaints can be dealt with formally and carefully and without some of the upsetting, abusive and inflammatory language that has been directed at staff and governors.
"No uniform will ever satisfy everyone, whether on cost or style. The school has always been keen to protect the vulnerable members of the school community who could not afford expensive ‘status-symbol’ coats and we hope that the present uniform strikes the right balance between affordability and practicality.
"On a more positive note, the many supportive comments that have been sent in over the last few weeks have been greatly appreciated."
