STYLE wars has come to an end at a Bury primary with the introduction of its first-ever uniform in school's 111-year history.

And happy pupils at St Chad's C of E Junior school in the town's Morley Street have voted the leisurely, smart outfit "top of the class."

Although the uniform is not compulsory, headteacher Mr Terry Fallows was delighted when around 99 per cent of pupils sported the new look when they arrived at school on Monday after the summer break.

The clothes comprise a blue polo shirt, covered by a burgundy sweatshirt with the crest of St Chad and the name of the school. The uniform also includes grey skirt for girls and grey trousers for the boys.

Before the summer holidays, Mr Fallows had sent a letter to all parents underlining the potential benefits of a uniform.

"At St Chad's," he said, "we are always concerned with maintaining and improving standards of children's work and behaviour.

"We are also constantly striving to ensure the image of the school is a positive one. We believe the school uniform helps to create an image of well presented children who are appropriately dressed for both work and play.

"It helps foster a feeling of belonging to a community and improves children's self image, which is a vital element in modern day learning," said Mr Fallows who is pictured displaying the uniform with pupils Nazreen Kosser and Jamie Birkett, both aged ten.

He continued: "We didn't make the uniform compulsory but when the children came back to school this week, 99 per cent of them were wearing it.

"The only ones who didn't were newcomers and those who couldn't get the size they wanted."

He went on: "The children are absolutely delighted with the uniform. They love it.

"Previously, there used to be a lot of arguments over children wearing designer clothes. Some could afford it and others couldn't and there were fall-outs and comparisons. The girls were trying to out-dress each other, but that's all gone now."

It is the first time the school has had this "uniformed" approach since it opened its doors in Bury in 1886. St Chad's caters for almost 240 pupils.

Mr Fallows, who has been headteacher at the school for the past 15 years, added: "The uniforms do look extremely smart and simple."

And the headteacher himself is leading by example - he dresses in the sweatshirt while taking gym lessons at the school.

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