PARENTS who are prepared to allow their children to attend school wearing trainers and sporting facial piercings shou-ld not send their offspring to John Pender's school.

Acting headteacher of Castledown School, near Tidworth, Mr Pender, says he will not back down from applying a simple but fair rule in relation to uniform. "When I arrived at the school in September I felt I had arrived at a gothic revivalist party at times," he told members of Ludgershall Parish Council this week.

"Some pupils had jewellery on display and I asked what the rules were. The answer was that jewellery should be minimal but 12 piercings on somebody's face didn't look minimal so I gave them two days to remove it all.

"It isn't repressive but simple and fair and I will enforce it and not back down. If you want to wear trainers to school don't come to Castledown. I haven't got the energy to fight you."

Staff are also not exempt from the tougher regime. "I now see everybody's planning in advance every week and know what the staff are preparing to teach," he said.

"We are ratcheting up what we expect and behaviour is no longer seen as an issue now there is a more positive ethos in the school."

He expects the school to come out of 'special measures' in September or October, and GCSE results to continue to improve.

The number on roll has increased by 23 pupils since January. His visit to the council follows comments made by former chairman of governors Ken Beard who was concerned about the school's financial viability.

Mr Pender said rising numbers and the commitment of Wiltshire County Council to secure finances meant the school certainly has a future.

He praised the staff and students for all their hard work and said the school was now a happy one.