Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:03

A newly designed school uniform jacket is causing concern among parents and teachers alike.

Many have seen the launch of the iPod-ready school blazer, among other items, by high street stalwart Marks and Spencer as "irresponsible".

The jacket itself has been designed so that no bulges are visible when the device is present and special lapel loops conceal the wiring and controls, Clothes2Order reports.

However ethical they may be - having been manufactured from recycled plastic bottles - the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) is united against the apparel seeing it as yet another electronic diversion from studying.

Many parents are also agreed that almost undetectable iPod listening in the classroom would simply add to the existing problems created by mobile phones and other hand-held devices.

Rules are already in place at most schools which prohibit the use of such gadgets at study times and teachers are questioning the logic of a uniform which has been specifically designed to make flouting the rules a lot easier for their pupils.