Winter is just around the corner, and the temperatures are falling accordingly. For parents, that means it's the time of year to buy winter coats for their growing boys and girls. It can be a costly endeavor, especially when you have kids who often grow out of the year's coat before the season's even over. Winter coats themselves are pretty costly, depending on where you live and how much cold, inclement weather you have to be ready for. One UK school has recognized what a burden this can be on families who have different economic circumstances and has put a policy in place to keep children from feeling the brunt of the situation.
The BBC reports that students at students at Woodchurch High School in Birkenhead, England, went home with a letter to parents announcing the banning of expensive winter coat brands from campus. The administration explained that the ban was being put in place to keep students from being "poverty shamed" by fellow classmates who choose to don more expensive attire.
One British high school noted that children from less-fortunate families are taunted about their choice of outerwear during the cold weather months.
In an effort to keep students from being picked on for not being able to afford some of the high-end coats their classmates sport, Woodchurch High School has banned expensive winter coat brands from its campus.
The ban, which will take place following the winter holidays, includes brands like Moncler, Pyrenex, and Canada Goose. Some of these coats retail for over $1,000.
"We are very concerned as a school about poverty-proofing our school environment and, as such, we met with groups of pupils and made the decision in consultation with them," explains head teacher Rebekah Phillips.
"The pupils spoke to us about the pressure on families and the pressure on themselves to wear particular branded coats," she explained.
This isn't the first time the high school has made an effort to protect some students from poverty shaming. It introduced a standard issue book bag a few years ago after similar problems arose.
Many families are elated to hear that the ban has been put in place.
They find it important not to draw attention to how not all students come from the same economic background, and they don't feel their children should be taunted as a result of those differences.
The story has spread quickly, with many praising the school's actions.
There are, of course, some who find the ban ridiculous. They believe their children shouldn't be policed on their outerwear because of the shortcomings of other families.
Some parents have also expressed that many students who do wear the banned brands are wearing knockoffs that shouldn't be included in the ban.
According to the Woodchurch High School administration, the feedback the school has received has been overwhelmingly positive.
They vow to continue their dedication to keep costs down for parents and caregivers.
With the ban beginning after the winter holiday, it'll take some time to see whether or not the ban does help equalize things for students.
