School permanently bans non-uniform days after misinformation spreads online

A school in Swindon has announced it will no longer hold non-school uniform days after misinformation spread online caused mass confusion.

Dorcan Academy, on St Paul’s Drive in Covingham, celebrated its last day of the school term on Friday, February 14, 2025, but several pupils and parents were falsely led to believe it was a non-school uniform day for all students.

According to the school, the student council had agreed upon a non-uniform day, as well as a film and sweets, to reward only certain students who had shown a positive attitude to learning and good attendance.

But misinformation spread on Facebook falsely suggested that the non-uniform day was for all students.

Several pupils turned up in their clothes on Friday, instead of the traditional blue blazers they were expected to wear.

Now responding to the situation, Dorcan Academy has announced it will ban non-school uniform days as rewards going forward.

Dorcan Academy in Swindon (Image: Newsquest) Sherryl Bareham, headteacher at Dorcan Academy, told the Swindon Advertiser: “Unfortunately, a fake message went out informing students that due to complaints all could wear non-school uniform.

“This was not only untrue but undermined the reward for those who deserved it and went against our school values of kindness, respect and integrity.

“We have therefore decided that we will not be using a non-school uniform day as a reward in future.

“Those students that deserve to be rewarded will be recognised in other ways.”

While some parents have praised the quick action to prevent this situation from happening again, others say the reaction is harsher than necessary.

Speaking about the move on the Swindon Community Notice Board Facebook page, Clare Hughes says the crackdown on non-uniform days is another of the “rules and procedures that have seen some bonkers decisions in the last few years.”

The comment comes after Dorcan Academy previously came under fire in September 2024 for locking school toilets during lesson time.

Chloe Burberry added: “It’s not about the non-uniform, it’s the point the children that have been rewarded today for their hard work this term, will no longer get these rewards because of others.

“We may not see it as a big deal, but the children enjoy non-uniform/off timetable for themed days.”

Yet Janet Mayhew believes the decision is a positive way to resolve the issue while teaching pupils about consequences.

“If nothing else, it has taught pupils that all actions have reactions and they’re not always positive,” she said.

“I hope whoever posted the fake news is pleased with themselves.”