School defends Nike sports kits

A school has defended its decision to encourage pupils to wear Nike branded sportswear for games and PE lessons.

Some parents are annoyed students will have to pay £80 for the outfits, which carry the school logo.

Shevington High School in Wigan said the outfits were not compulsory and were chosen after consultation with pupils and parents.

Keren Riley, whose daughter is at the school, said: "We're paying for that decision, the school aren't paying."

"I think this consultation was probably about which styles they wanted not that they would cost £80 for an outfit," she said.

'School decision'

Helen MacKenzie, head teacher at the school, said: "Shevington High School is delighted that there is such an interest in one of the strategies initiated to further improve pupil participation, learning and enjoyment in PE.

"Pupils may still wear the traditional kit, however the school is delighted that the uptake of the new standard kit has been so high."

A spokesman for Wigan Local Education Authority said the council was aware of the policy but the decision rested with the school.

The sportswear giant said it had no contact with the school over the decision.

"It is hugely complimentary but it was a decision made independent of Nike," a spokeswoman said.

"It was a school decision and we had nothing to do with it."