Pupils were seen queuing up outside a school on Monday morning after a new 'search' policy was introduced. The Kingsway School, in Cheadle, said in a letter to parents that from February 27, children would be met by 'senior leaders' at the gates to 'ensure they have everything they need'.
Pictures and videos taken from outside the school, on Foxland Road, and shared with the Manchester Evening News, appear to show huge queues of pupils stood outside after the 'key changes' were implemented.
However, after a reminder was shared by the school to social media, parents complained about the 'ridiculous' queue, with another claiming it took around an hour for her son to eventually reach the doors and that bags were checked by staff.
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One person said: "My son was on time. As I dropped him off (8:15) the line of children outside was absolutely ridiculous. Surely there is a safer and more efficient way of checking uniform and bags rather than through one double door with hundreds of kids waiting outside?"
Another mum told the Manchester Evening News it took around an hour for her son to get into school, adding: "Well school starts at 8:30 but he didn't get into the building till 9:30, and to add insult to injury they were sanctioned given demerits for being late to school. They were even checking in bags."
Earlier this month, parents were issued a letter asking for their support in maintaining and improving the 'standards' at the school following a survey last October, that outlined how some pupils 'worried about behaviour, especially in the corridors' and that some felt 'unsafe' seeing students wearing coats or hoods inside school when not in lessons.
As part of the new policy, the letter said that students would be met by senior leaders at the gates, and that those not 'positively engaging' would then be sent to a 'ready to learn' room to be given the correct uniform or equipment, or 'required to stay there until they are prepared to go straight to class'.
The letter outlined this was a measure introduced to 'minimise time spent in the classroom engaged in conversations about being ready, which inevitably will detract from learning' and to therefore provide a 'calm, focussed start to lessons'.
The message issued by the the acting headteacher also outlined how students 'will take their coats and hoods off and carry them inside school' so that staff can 'swiftly identify any people who are not part of our school or if they are behaving in a way that might intimidate others.'
The letter continued: "Please share this letter with your child to remind them of the expectations at Kingsway. Positive relationships and consistent management of rule breaking is what we aim for so that our children can have focussed, dedicated learning time in the classroom and also feel safe when they are moving around school.
"We realise that these rules may sound different and possibly seem unfair for your own child but, with your support, it will continue to develop a culture where unkind behaviour or time wasting is not part of school life."
The Kingsway School has been approached for comment.
The letter is available on the school's website. Read the full letter below:
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