A STOURPORT school has responded after a petition was set up demanding students be allowed to wear PE kits throughout the day. 

Parent Marisa Manning, who has two children at Stourport High School, started the online petition arguing that students should continue to be allowed to wear PE kits throughout the day when they have PE lessons. 

The 41-year-old said the school’s decision to introduce PE kit wearing instead of uniform was “a good thing that came out of Covid,” because of its positive impact on body-conscious teens. 

She also says that the changing rooms are “not up to scratch” for pupils to use. “I think there’s a lot of disgruntled parents," Marisa said. 

The petition, seeking to "reverse the decision for school children to have to attend school in uniform on PE days", has gathered 450 signatures. 

In response, principal Sara Peace, said many of the signatories were not recognised as parents or carers of Stourport High students. 

However, eight emails from parents expressing concerns about PE changing had been received and she has replied to each of them individually, as well as sending a letter to all parents and carers outlining the school’s response.

Mrs Peace said: “Changing rooms in the LQ Arena will be offered to students who do not wish to change in front of others as they offer more privacy.

“Lockers providing safe storage for PE kit during the school day will also be provided for students who wish to have one.

“Our school dates back to 1956 and now we are part of the Severn Academies Educational Trust, historic underfunding in our buildings is being addressed with a programme of new build and refurbishment.”

Mrs Peace added: “Covid-19 restrictions are soon to be lifted completely, with most other schools in the area having students changing into PE kit from the beginning of the school year.

“We feel this is another step to returning to some sort of ‘normal’ in school and I’m sure parents will support this.

“We will keep this under review for the remainder of this term, with feedback from our students and our Parent Forum group.”