A newly appointed headteacher in Bushey has written to parents saying he would like to improve the school uniform, after seeing students at a regional competition not looking as "smart" as other pupils.

Writing to parents on March 31 newly appointed head of Bushey Meads School Jeremy Turner, said: "Bushey Meads is that special place and all the wonderful students, staff, parents, governors and trustees who I have been privileged to meet so far have made a superb impression.

"I want Bushey Meads’ students to be competing at the very highest level and be immensely proud of who they are and how they present themselves and their school.

"The school uniform at the moment does not enable this to happen. Even this term our students were competing at a regional competition and didn’t look as smart as the other students who were there. Appearances aren’t everything, but first impressions do count and give the edge in a whole host of different arenas, both in and out of school.

"With this in mind, I would like you to think of ways in which the school uniform can be improved and enable our students to look the very best that they can look. In your thinking do consider the detail of things like tie designs, logos, badges, colours etc. A parents’ evening will be arranged for early on in the Summer Term at which you can share your ideas and have a look at some possibilities moving forward."

The school uniform was subject to controversy last year when the academy introduced new regulation trousers and skirts for its students, which were embroidered with BMS just under the waistband.

Parents wrote to MPs and the minister of state for schools, David Laws MP, and one mother took her two children out of the school for a short period.

Jeremy Turner will join the school in September.