PARENTS are angry at a school’s new policy which bans colourful socks.

Varndean School’s black only sock policy has been met with fierce opposition from parents who claim it limits students’ individuality and wastes the time of the teachers who have to enforce the dress code.

A petition set up to protest the uniform regulations has been signed by more than 100 people and the row has been branded ‘Sockgate’ by parents .

The petition on change.org was started by Vardean School parent, Ingrid Wakeling. It reads: “Students individuality is a key asset of the school and suppressing this through further rules does not benefit the school as a whole.

“Teachers’ time is valuable and should not be wasted on policing small uniform infringements.”

The policy is currently in force at the school in Balfour Road, Brighton. Students who wish to defy the new rules are threatening to wear red socks on Friday in protest.

Ingrid Wakeling will be meeting with headteacher William Deighan this week to lay out the parent’s concerns.

The petition adds: “Neither students nor parents have been consulted about this addition and we feel current uniform policy is already serviceable and often too restrictive. Also, this would put a further economic and organisational strain on parents. The uniform costs are already high enough.

“If a child is in school on time and in full uniform then no further requirements should be put in the way of them receiving an education.”

People have laid out their reasons for signing underneath the Stop The Socks! Students & Parents Against Sock Policy at Varndean School petition.

Hollie Stevenson, who is against the policy, says: “The school policy is over the top, all it will achieve is that children will feel increasingly negative towards school.

“These things should be decided in consultation with children and parents, rather than being forced upon them.”

Another petition signer, Patrizia Gough, says: “The school policy is over the top, all it will achieve is that children will feel increasingly negative towards school. These things should be decided in consultation with children and parents, rather than being forced upon them. Uniformity does not equal attainment.

“Considering Varndean is based in Brighton, it seems to be decades behind it’s actual community. The children walk around the city and see all sorts of bright and beautiful people but are then meant to sit in schools, any outward individuality removed from them.”

Petition singer Noah Fulbrook says: “I can’t be asked to to spend money on black socks.”