St Mary’s children join our great Red Nose Day jimjam-boree

A leading London headteacher today called on all schools to let children wear pyjamas in class for Red Nose Day.

Jared Brading, head of St Mary’s Primary School in Battersea, which is at the heart of the Evening Standard’s literacy campaign, said wearing nightclothes to school is an easy way for children to help the charity.

The Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund has joined forces with Comic Relief to raise money for Londoners in poverty.

Everyone in the capital is being urged to get sponsorship for wearing their pyjamas or nightdresses, slippers and dressing gowns during the daytime, including to work.

Mr Brading and children at St Mary’s led the way by going to school in their nightclothes and urged others to join them on Red Nose Day, March 15.

Mr Brading, who wore grey pyjama bottoms and a T-shirt, said: “ After all the money people have raised for us it’s about time we put something back. Wearing pyjamas is an easy way to have a bit of fun and raise money at the same time. Instead of the normal non-uniform day children can wear something a bit different. The entire school will be doing this on Red Nose Day and I would encourage all schools to get involved with it.”

Year Three pupils wore their pyjamas to the school library, which was donated as part of the Standard’s Get London Reading campaign. They were also allowed to spend lessons — and their lunch break in the playground — in their nightwear.

Blessing Matonga, seven, wore her favourite pyjamas with a picture of pop group JLS on them.  She said: “It is a bit embarrassing wearing pyjamas to school but it is for a good reason. I am looking forward to seeing all my teachers wearing them on Red Nose Day.”

Nathan Motindo, also seven, who wore his Transformers pyjamas, said: “It was really fun wearing this but the hardest bit was running around in the playground, which was a bit cold.” Their teacher Selina Griffiths said: “It is a fantastic idea, the children are all very excited but also able to get on with their work.

“They all thought they were at a big sleepover and so we were encouraging reading a book before bedtime.

“More schools should do it, definitely. It’s a great thing and they will love seeing their teachers in their pyjamas.”

Comedian Russell Kane has already supported the “pyjamarama” campaign, along with singer Paloma Faith and the entire Spamalot cast.

Sign up here to pledge to wear your pyjamas to work on Red Nose Day.

The Evening Standard's Dispossessed Fund has joined forces with Comic Relief to raise money for Londoners in poverty.

We are asking you, our readers, to support us by wearing your pyjamas to work on Red Nose Day on March 15, and by asking your friends and colleagues to sponsor you.

Click on the button below to pledge to come to work in your pyjamas and set up your own giving page.