A LETTER from a headteacher urging parents to stop wearing pyjamas during the morning school run has sparked a national debate.

Kate Chisholm, headteacher at Skerne Park Academy, Darlington, wrote a letter urging adults to dress properly and set a good example to the children.

Ms Chisholm said she had noticed an ‘increasing tendency for parents to escort children to and from school while still wearing their pyjamas and, on occasion, even slippers’.

“Could I please ask that when you are escorting your children, you take the time to dress appropriately in day wear that is suitable for the weather conditions,” Ms Chisholm wrote.

“While this may seem to some to be a minor point, I am sure you will agree that it is important for all to set our children a good example about what is appropriate and acceptable in all aspects of life, not only from the point of view of their safety and general well-being but also as preparation for their own adult life.

“Thank you for your co-operation in helping raise our children’s aspirations.”

But the following morning after the letter was issued to parents, defiant mum Karen Routh, 49, turned up to the school in her red pyjamas – decorated with snowflakes – in protest.

The letter was discussed on ITV’s This Morning programme after going viral, using the hashtag ‘slummy mummies’.

Despite protesting parents, Miss Chisholm said she has no regrets.

Speaking to The Northern Echo during a media scrum at the school this morning, Miss Chisholm said: “I would send the same letter again.

“We’ve had a growing trend of parents wearing pyjamas coming into school so it started off with them dropping them off in pyjamas and then they would pick them up with pyjamas on.

“And then when it came to parents’ evenings and Christmas performances, they came in wearing pyjamas and I decided I had to say something.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a bad example, all I would say is that we’re all about raising aspirations for children and actually making better outcomes for them.”

Do you think it’s acceptable for parents to wear pyjamas when they take their children to school? Or do you agree with the headteacher that it sets a bad example?