MORE than 100 parents have signed a petition after a school told them they will have to buy their children new uniforms for September.

Longhill High School in Rottingdean says the new uniform will be smarter and help improve standards.

But parents have reacted with anger after being told they will have to fork out for a new “gender-neutral uniform” comprising a navy blue blazer, tie, grey trousers and PE kit to be bought from the school’s supplier.

Students going into Year 11 are not required to buy the new uniform for their final year.

The petition says: “Against most parents’ wishes, the school are implementing a compulsory change of uniform with only the shirts able to be bought from any store.

“Many parents have already paid for the current, compulsory uniform, only available through the nominated supplier in the region of £150 for the year.

“No feasible explanation has been given for the change other than to ‘improve standards’.”

One mother commented on Facebook: “My son, like many other kids, started last September and everyone spent £100 plus on uniforms... now to be told they are bringing out a new uniform.

“Not going to happen. I brought my son’s uniform to last him a couple of years –I bought three of everything. They have been at that school for seven months and now they want us to buy all over again.”

Currently pupils at the comprehensive school in Falmer Road wear white polo T-shirts with the Longhill crest, black trousers with the option for a jumper and skirt for girls.

But school bosses said the current uniform was frequently criticised by parents of pupils and of prospective Year 7 entrants.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Kate Williams said: “We are committed to raising standards at Longhill and part of this is the improvement of the current standard of uniform. We are working hard to ensure we will have a cost-effective smart uniform that will be followed consistently by all.”

She added: "We believe that a uniform promotes and inspires pride and commitment to something greater than oneself. Longhill High school is on a journey of improvement and this is just one small part of the journey. 

"We very much appreciate the support of the vast majority of parents in our drive to carry on improving standards at Longhill."

It comes following a consultation on uniform last year in which parents’ biggest concern was cost.

The price of the new uniform is not yet known as the school is still in the tendering process with suppliers.

It told The Argus it would look at each case individually for families who cannot afford new uniform and may provide assistance.

Research by the Department for Education in 2015, based on a survey of 1,200 parents, found the average cost of a school uniform was £212.88.

Councillor Emma Daniel spearheading Brighton and Hove City Council’s campaign to poverty proof schools, said schools should reconsider imposing costs on parents at this time.

She said: “I would urge schools to really reconsider any costs on families right now. With the cost of living in Brighton and Hove, many working families are in poverty and on top of that welfare reforms are coming where benefits are being slashed.

"It’s important now more than ever people listen to what parents are saying.

“I hope this school listens to parents and has a plan for families who cannot afford the new uniform.”

Last year male students wore skirts to get round the uniform policy preventing them wearing shorts in hot weather.

The boys were taking a stand following the school’s decision to punish boys who chose to wear school-issued PE shorts, rather than trousers, on one of the hottest days of the year.