UK School's Strict New Rules Spark Parental Outcry Over Student Safety

A mother, Lisa Nathan, has voiced strong concerns regarding new policies introduced by her children's academy in the UK, sparking a wider debate among parents. Nathan, who initially supported the academy's takeover, expressed her "rage" over recent changes. Last week, the school implemented a ban on students using phones, a decision Nathan disagrees with, stating, "I think it's a safety thing, especially for my children. I want them to be able to have a phone." She emphasized the need for children to be able to contact parents in emergencies or to inform them of their whereabouts. The latest rule prohibits students from "loitering or using local shops on the way home from the academy" while in uniform, with sanctions threatened for non-compliance. Nathan questioned the practicality and safety of this rule, asking, "What happens if they haven't got their phone on them, they need to contact someone, and they go into a shop to ask for help, but they're not allowed in the shop because they've got their uniform on?" She also highlighted the financial burden of the school's "precious" uniform, stating she paid £269 for one child's uniform alone. Nathan believes these rules are more about "control and power" than genuine education, noting that many other parents share her unhappiness. The situation raises questions about the balance between school authority and student well-being outside school hours.