Schools 'should allow' trainers

Trainers may encourage more "active breaks" the guidelines say

Pupils should be allowed to wear trainers as part of their school uniform, according to new Welsh Assembly Government guidelines.

The document said banning trainers might force poorer parents to buy cheap shoes that could damage feet.

It added schools might also like to "avoid high cost items such as blazers and caps".

There was also guidance on wearing religious articles and making sure uniforms do not discriminate.

The document said: "Trainers are often made out of healthy materials and may be quite reasonably priced in comparison to leather shoes.

Discriminate

"Not permitting trainers might leave less well off parents with no alternative other than to buy non-leather shoes that are not properly fitted and which might lead to severe foot problems in later life."

Wearing trainers might also encourage children to take "active breaks", it added.

The guidelines strongly encouraged schools to have uniforms and dress codes, but only basic items and colours should be listed so they can be found easily on the high street.

Guidance was also given on wearing religious articles and making sure uniforms do not discriminate against pupils.

School governors should take in religious views and consider whether their uniform policy interferes with the right to manifest a religion or belief, the 23-page document said.

Exclusion

It comes after dozens of protesters gathered outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay earlier this week to support a 14-year-old Sikh girl who was excluded for wearing a religious bangle.

A legal challenge has been filed at the High Court on behalf of Sarika Singh who was excluded last November for refusing to remove the bangle, known as a kara.

She spent the previous two months being taught in isolation at Aberdare Girls' School, after staff noticed her silver bracelet.

She and her family insist the kara should not be treated as jewellery because it is an important reminder for Sikhs to do good with their hands.

Stopping pupils showing their religion might be justified in some cases, such as to prevent bullying or to "promote cohesion and good order in a school", the guidance said.

The Welsh Assembly Government said it did not consider exclusion an "appropriate response" to flouting uniform policies, except as a last resort.