01-14-2009, 04:36 AM
Strike threat after PE teacher is sacked for wearing trainers in class
By Colin Fernandez
Last updated at 8:13 AM on 30th December 2008
A PE teacher who has worn a tracksuit and trainers to school for 30 years has been sacked after the acting headteacher decided he was flouting the dress code.
Adrian Swain, 56, was dismissed a week before Christmas because he refused to follow a ban on trainers.
The school's local education authority has backed the sacking - claiming teachers 'should not wear clothing children are not allowed to wear themselves'.
Now fellow teachers at the comprehensive where Mr Swain has taught for 17 years are threatening to strike if he is not reinstated.
Mr Swain said of his dismissal for wearing the clothes he teaches in: 'I am stunned that in this day and age you can be sacked for wearing the wrong type of shoes.
'I haven’t a blot on my character and have suddenly been sacked for something I have always worn.'
Mr Swain of Stratford, east London, who has 30 years teaching experience added: 'Children would much rather have a good teacher who wore trainers than a bad one who was dressed like a businessman.
The school dress code was imposed by an acting head teacher, Lorraine Page, at the state comprehensive who has since left.
Mr Swain added: 'Pupils learn best in an atmosphere where they feel comfortable and not in a corporate, office-like setting, so I really don't like the way that education is going.'
Mr Swain worked with special needs children, at St Paul's Way Community School in Bow, east London. His colleagues are pressing for a ballot on industrial action in protest at his dismissal.
Mr Swain said he had worn tracksuit bottoms and trainers to school throughout his 30-year teaching career without any complaints.
Mr Swain, believes he has been victimised as he is a union representative for the National Union of Teachers. He said: 'I was singled out and fired while other staff have regularly worn banned items.
More on this Story
By Colin Fernandez
Last updated at 8:13 AM on 30th December 2008
A PE teacher who has worn a tracksuit and trainers to school for 30 years has been sacked after the acting headteacher decided he was flouting the dress code.
Adrian Swain, 56, was dismissed a week before Christmas because he refused to follow a ban on trainers.
The school's local education authority has backed the sacking - claiming teachers 'should not wear clothing children are not allowed to wear themselves'.
Now fellow teachers at the comprehensive where Mr Swain has taught for 17 years are threatening to strike if he is not reinstated.
Mr Swain said of his dismissal for wearing the clothes he teaches in: 'I am stunned that in this day and age you can be sacked for wearing the wrong type of shoes.
'I haven’t a blot on my character and have suddenly been sacked for something I have always worn.'
Mr Swain of Stratford, east London, who has 30 years teaching experience added: 'Children would much rather have a good teacher who wore trainers than a bad one who was dressed like a businessman.
The school dress code was imposed by an acting head teacher, Lorraine Page, at the state comprehensive who has since left.
Mr Swain added: 'Pupils learn best in an atmosphere where they feel comfortable and not in a corporate, office-like setting, so I really don't like the way that education is going.'
Mr Swain worked with special needs children, at St Paul's Way Community School in Bow, east London. His colleagues are pressing for a ballot on industrial action in protest at his dismissal.
Mr Swain said he had worn tracksuit bottoms and trainers to school throughout his 30-year teaching career without any complaints.
Mr Swain, believes he has been victimised as he is a union representative for the National Union of Teachers. He said: 'I was singled out and fired while other staff have regularly worn banned items.