Academy explains Hastings supermarket '˜ban' for students

The Hastings Academy pupils are not allowed into Aldi on Rye Road between 8am and 9am and 3pm and 4pm unless accompanied by a parent.

Aldi said the ban was introduced because of the ‘disruption’ caused by some students.

A school spokesman said: “A representative from The Hastings Academy has visited the supermarket and spoken at length to the manager about the difficulties he has recently experienced and possible solutions to help address the concerns raised.

“As an academy, we constantly speak to our students about being ambassadors for the school; unfortunately, a small minority of students have, in this instance fallen well below our standards of conduct.

“We will continue to work with the supermarket to help resolve any future incidences.”

The reaction from readers was mixed as some sided with Aldi in taking action against badly-behaved students while others thought it was harsh.

Year 11 Hastings Academy student Leah Hamblin said: “I mean no disrespect but as a student from The Hastings Academy, I believe this is not the right in the sake that the “behavior of some pupils” has effected all other students.

“Did they condemn Jesus or all his disciples - I know it seems irrelevant but that is how it has been handled.

“All I would like to know if they used common knowledge in reviewing CCTV and identifying the culprits by working with our school for a fair punishment to said students. Banning students from a shop over disruption is not the same as banning them due to a more valid cause such as vandalism or violence towards staff.”

Jack Rafter disagreed. He said: “Aldi has a duty of care to their staff to protect them as far as possible from abuse and disruption from chavvy kids who have no boundaries. 
“Their staff go to work to serve customers in a retail store, not to deal with that stuff. Also, the store has to attract business and these kids are putting customers off.

“Your teachers are very well paid to be abused by these feral kids but supermarket staff don’t earn enough to put up with this.

“It’s tough on you but try and get used to it, the world is a very tough place. Sad you’ve been tarred with the same brush as this lot because you wear the same uniform.”

Another academy pupil, Bryony Palmer wrote: “I understand well that there are more than a few students at the school that lie, cheat, steal and misbehave.

“Because of this I’m not going to “bash” Aldi, as they are well within their right as a chain supermarket to ban customers. BUT.

“The way the matter has been approached (as far as media coverage has shown) is appalling.

“As a child I have been taught not to judge a large group upon the acts of one person (or more than one in this case) because it is wrong.

“So why paint a picture of a whole school based upon a select group of kids.

“This situation could have been handled better.”

And Emily Sunshinesugarsocks Harris said on Facebook: “Good idea the amount of shoplifting that occurs by school kids in there is huge and it may only be sweets they are stealing but it’s still stealing and the shop then loses out!

“Like someone said the sweets are cheap in there anyway.”

Academy students ‘banned’ from Hastings supermarket

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