Totes Inappropriate! Parents’ Anger As Head Bans 'Unsuitable' Designer Handbags From School

Banned: An example of one of the bags not allowed at the school. (SWNS)

Parents have slammed a ‘pathetic’ school ruling banning pupils from bringing designer handbags into class.

Staff at All Saints’ Academy, Cheltenham, claim that holdalls, which they deem as ‘handbags’, are not suitable for children to use as school bags.

Many pupils were told to carry rucksacks the following day, despite their parents recently shelling out cash for expensive designer totes as Christmas presents.

Headteacher Dermot McNiffe at the All Saints’ Academy, Cheltenham (SWNS)

Girls returning after the holidays with their new bags were told that they were inappropriate.

Parents criticised the decision on Facebook, questioning if this is within the remit of a headteacher’s control.

One mum, Annabel Holland, posted: “Unless they provide every pupil with a school rucksack as part of the uniform, I don’t see how they can tell you what bag you can and can’t take to school!”

Tracie Hale said: “They go to school for an education. Does it really matter what bag they use? Pathetic really.”

Another parent, Vicki Hodges, added: “I don’t see what the difference is between a River Island handbag and an Adidas back pack.

“They’ve both got brand names on and can both fit school books and folders in. Doesn’t affect them learning in the slightest.”

All Saints’ Academy In Cheltenham. (SWNS)

But the headteacher issued a warning to parents and pupils in a letter on December 18, including photographs of bags he saw as fit and bags he did not.

Principal Dermot McNiffe wrote in the note sent home last year: “We have identified that there has been a lack of clarity on the type of bag to use for school, which has resulted in some students using designer handbags which are not appropriate for carrying exercise and text books to school.”