Bridge Farm Primary School Row Rumbles On
Families whose children attend a Bristol primary school are further calling for the setting to remove ‘barriers to attendance’ following the introduction of a new attendance challenge which has sparked controversy.
A petition has been set up to End the “Own Clothes Challenge” at Bridge Farm Primary School, calling for the school to ‘reconsider and withdraw’.
The petitioner calls the scheme ‘misguided and potentially harmful.’
The families affected are calling for the school to consult on attendance strategies that are ‘fair, inclusive, and compassionate.’
They are also asking for a ‘focus’ by the school on addressing ‘barriers to attendance’.
‘Attendance Is Not the Root Problem,’ they say.
‘Many children face challenges outside of their control — such as illness, neurodiversity, anxiety, family circumstances, or transportation issues.’
The challenge ‘fails to recognise’ these realities, it continues.
The use of ‘barriers to attendance’ sees a shift away from outdated terms ‘school refusal’, ‘anxiety-based school refusal/avoidance’ and the current term ’emotionally based school avoidance.’
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities campaigners have been switching towards Barriers To Attendance which better reflects the difficulties their children have in accessing education.
The full text says: ‘We, the undersigned, call on Bridge Farm Primary School to reconsider and withdraw the recently introduced “Own Clothes Challenge.”
‘Overview of the Scheme
Under this initiative, if a child attends school from Monday to Thursday, they are allowed to wear their own clothes on Friday.
‘While the intention may be to improve attendance, this approach is misguided and potentially harmful.
‘Why This Approach Is Problematic
While we fully support the importance of regular attendance and engagement, this initiative is misguided and potentially harmful for several reasons:
‘Attendance Is Not the Root Problem
Many children face challenges outside of their control — such as illness, neurodiversity, anxiety, family circumstances, or transportation issues.
The “Own Clothes Challenge” fails to recognise these realities, placing unnecessary pressure on families and students.
‘Creates Inequality and Stigma
On Fridays, children who miss a single day for legitimate reasons will stand out in uniform among peers in casual clothes. This risks embarrassment, exclusion, and stigma.
‘Reinforces a Rigid System Rather Than Addressing It
Instead of making attendance policies more flexible, supportive, and understanding, this initiative uses public reward and punishment to enforce compliance.
‘Undermines the Values of Inclusion and Compassion
Bridge Farm Primary has a strong reputation for caring for every child’s individual needs. This challenge conflicts with those values by focusing on uniformity over understanding.
‘Legal Obligation
Children already have a legal duty to attend school. Rewarding them for doing something that is mandatory sends the wrong message about motivation and responsibility.
‘It risks conditioning children to expect rewards for fulfilling basic obligations, rather than fostering intrinsic motivation, self-regulation, and pride in their own learning.
‘In the adult world, we are encouraged to maintain boundaries, take breaks, and leave environments that do not support our wellbeing. This policy, however, teaches the opposite lesson — that attendance should be prioritised above wellbeing. It undermines efforts to raise resilient, self-aware young people who understand balance and autonomy.
‘Discrimination and Inclusion
The “Own Clothes Challenge” disproportionately affects children who find the school environment difficult to attend due to additional needs, medical issues, mental health challenges, or family circumstances.
‘When viewed through an inclusion and equality lens, this policy is counter-productive. Rather than encouraging attendance, it may cause:
– Shame and isolation among children who are unable to attend every day.
– Increased anxiety for pupils already struggling with attendance.
– Further division within the classroom on Fridays, where some children stand out in uniform while others participate in the reward.
‘Currently, around one-third of pupils at Bridge Farm have a formal diagnosis of an inclusive need — not counting those undiagnosed or masking difficulties. This policy risks widening inequalities and undermining the school’s duty to foster a compassionate, inclusive community.
‘Attendance Does Not Equate to Positive Wellbeing
One of Bridge Farm Primary School’s stated core values is “wellbeing.”
We therefore question how this policy aligns with that value.
‘The fear of being reprimanded for sickness or absence is already increasing among families, and the pressures of modern education — a demanding curriculum, large class sizes, and stretched teacher resources — have taken a toll on children’s mental health nationwide.
‘Equating attendance with reward sends a damaging message: that being present matters more than being well. True wellbeing comes from creating environments where children feel safe, supported, and understood — not where attendance is tied to privilege or exclusion.
‘Sibling Rivalry and Family Impact
Parents and carers already manage immense pressure in getting their children to school daily. Introducing a system that allows one sibling to wear non-uniform while another cannot — due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control — adds unnecessary stress and emotional strain on families.
‘This approach risks conflict and distress between siblings, undermining harmony at home and increasing the mental load for parents and carers who are already doing their best.
‘Bridge Farm Uniform Policy
This “challenge” also directly contradicts the school’s own uniform policy, which promotes equality, cohesion, and a sense of belonging.
‘Uniforms exist to remove the social and financial pressures linked to appearance. By selectively allowing some pupils to break this rule, the school undermines the very principles its policy was designed to uphold.’
‘Cost and Financial Fairness
With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, many families already struggle to afford everyday essentials. This “challenge” adds further pressure, particularly for those unable to buy “fashionable” clothes.
‘No child should feel singled out, teased, or excluded because of what they wear — or because their family cannot afford new clothing. This initiative risks increasing inequality and bullying, especially among younger pupils who are sensitive to social differences.
‘Duty of Care
Fundamentally, a child should not be rewarded for attending a setting they are legally obligated to attend. Instead, the school holds a legal and moral duty of care to meet its educational obligations and to safeguard every child’s wellbeing.
‘Failing to consider the emotional and psychological impact of such policies could be viewed as a neglect of that duty, particularly toward vulnerable pupils.
‘A Call for Compassionate Reform
We respectfully urge Bridge Farm Primary School to:
End the “Own Clothes Challenge.”
‘1 – Consult with parents, carers, and pupils to design attendance strategies that are fair, inclusive, and compassionate.
‘2 – Focus on addressing barriers to attendance, rather than rewarding compliance in ways that divide or stigmatise children.
‘Bridge Farm Primary has a proud reputation for valuing inclusion, wellbeing, and community. We believe this petition reflects those same values — calling for a school environment that supports every child, not just those who can meet rigid attendance expectations.’
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