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Do you think schools should relax uniforms policies re hot weather

205 replies

Cozc · 18/06/2025 07:43

Going to be 26-31c for the rest of the month. My friend’s DD’s academy has told pupils and parents that they are not allowed to remove blazers in lessons (bar PE).

This is ridiculous. Bet the female teachers are wearing light floaty dresses, skirts and short sleeve tops. Male teachers - short sleeve shirts and a lighter coloured trousers.

Why do schools expect the pupils to wear a blazer?

OP posts:
Disturbia81 · 18/06/2025 10:17

We could take blazers off in lessons, we would have melted in those greenhouse type classrooms.
Had to wear them walking round school and walking home though! Teachers used to drive around and check! Pathetic

spirit20 · 18/06/2025 10:08

Most schools do have adjustments. It's really strange that some schools still insist on sticking to these rules. They wouldn't be able to enforce it with staff, as they would rightly leave. Maybe consider if there are other options in the local area for your child as it shows they don't really have the child's best interests at heart when designing their policies.

LavenderBlue19 · 18/06/2025 09:57

I would love to know why schools insist on blazers. Why does the shirt underneath not count as uniform? Making teenagers abide by nonsensical, potentially damaging rules is a fast track to resentment and disorder, IMO.

When I was in secondary school we wore polo shirts with the school crest, and a school jumper. You could take the jumper off whenever you wanted. No big deal.

Summerishere123 · 18/06/2025 09:50

My sons school is letting them wear PE kit tomorrow.

SnemonyLicket · 18/06/2025 09:50

Yes it’s utterly ridiculous. Not all schools are being dicks though. My ds’s school have told the pupils they can wear PE kit during the hot weather.

BashfulClam · 18/06/2025 09:42

Schools are nuts to do this! It should always be weather appropriate as how can kids learn when they are uncomfortable and overheating?

My ex told me his brother was incessant home for not wearing a blazer. It was freezing and he had a ski jacket in that he couldn’t fit his blazer under. The whole blazer thing is madness. When I was at school we could wear a polo shirt in summer which was much better than a normal school shirt (it had to be the right shade of yellow yuck). We did fight for the right for females to wear trousers especially as we live on the west coast of Scotland and winter could be brutal.

scalt · 18/06/2025 09:40

Blazers are impractical for so many reasons. Too hot in summer, yet impractical for rainy weather.

It's also rotten that kids have exams during what is usually the best of our very short summer. By the time term finishes, the best of the summer is usually long gone.

cryptide · 18/06/2025 09:38

If my child were at a school like this I would enter an official complaint and take it to the governors if necessary. I'd also consider noting it as a safeguarding risk with the council.

Badgerandfox227 · 18/06/2025 09:35

My kids school has said no jumpers so that good, but my DD insists on still taking her coat in everyday, as it’s official uniform and the school didn’t say not to bring that in. Bless her 🥵

Dramatic · 18/06/2025 09:34

BlackeyedSusan · 18/06/2025 08:37

We were allowed to request authorised time off for our children.

They adjusted uniform. And sent out an email in advance.

Mine had the day off given they tended to wear their coat all summer. And not in winter. Or had a medical condition that makes heat difficult.

Sounds like that school was much more sensible. Some of the girls rebelled and wore socks but mine wouldn't because she didn't want to get in trouble 😔

Whatafustercluck · 18/06/2025 09:32

Dd's school (junior) and ds's (secondary) are both very sensible. Summer uniform, no jumper, for dd (and long term they've ditched ties from the winter uniform altogether). Polo shirt and trousers for boys, no jumper requirement of ties, no blazers.

MightyGoldBear · 18/06/2025 09:26

I think they should bin off uniform all together maybe p.e kits comfortable clothes all year around.

SortthisoutpleaseJesus · 18/06/2025 09:25

The school my DH teaches at has short sleeved summer shirts for summer and blazers can be removed in lessons (only have to be worn walking around the campus).

TowerOfWashing · 18/06/2025 09:25

Where I live, schools have dress codes rather than uniforms and coats/jackets have to be taken off in class from a health and safety/social etiquette perspective (there are more issues in winter than summer with this due to cold classrooms!).

I don't get why blazers would ever have to be kept on in a classroom?! It can't be comfortable to work in one, especially the thicker ones if you've grown a bit recently. They're a nonsense up with us anyway - you've got kids standing at the end of farm tracks waiting a long time for buses in all weathers and they need to be wearing a proper winter jacket with a hood (even in June sometimes!) not something serving only a decorative function.

I'm not a fan of uniform but if I had to enforce one I'd put all teenagers in a permanent PE type uniform (easy wash school tshirt, joggers, trainers with jumper as required by the pupil). That way they're comfortable, ready for anything in any subject throughout the school day and might even feel like a bit of a kick about at football, basketball or jumping on the swings at a breaktime - which we especially want given the low participation rates of teenage girls in sport.

RancidRuby · 18/06/2025 09:24

School uniform is so out dated. I don't have a problem with it as a concept but it needs to be modernised. For example black, grey or navy joggers and sweatshirt with a polo shirt with school logo or in school colours. This should be standard at primary schools and would be my preference for secondary too, but I'd also be ok with smarter trousers and shirts if a school wants to be more formal. There is no need for ties and blazers nowadays, even the most corporate city firms don't dress so formerly any more. Let kids be kids.

mamansloth · 18/06/2025 09:22

We are on hot weather dress now until the end of term. If wished, no blazers, ties, socks for girls not tights, jumpers always optional. Private school. Teachers need not wear full suits or ties either.
I wish we were like Australia and had a (age appropriate) summer dress even for senior pupils (and so does my daughter).

When I hear the ridiculousness of some schools I’m aghast. We move to and from hot weather dress throughout the summer term. There’s even a category on the uniform rules about it.

LittleAlexHornesPocket · 18/06/2025 09:19

Thankfully my DC school is very sensible and the jumper is not compulsory at all other than for photos.

But if a school tried to enforce warm clothing on my DC when it was due to be 26 degrees plus I'd keep them home on the basis that it's a health and safety concern.

Jinglejanglenamechanged25 · 18/06/2025 09:18

Mine can wear PE kit all summer term, it looks nicer than the balzer/trousers combo to me wish they had a winter version with joggers and jumper.

soundsys · 18/06/2025 09:17

WhatNoRaisins · 18/06/2025 07:50

My kids school lets them wear PE kit or equivalent when it's hot. Very sensible.

Same!

makes no sense to wear blazers and jumpers, no adults are going to work wearing blazers and jumpers in this heat!

EasternStandard · 18/06/2025 09:17

Dc school says they can remove blazers

Pricelessadvice · 18/06/2025 09:14

When I was teaching I used to let the kids take off blazers and jumpers (regardless of the school rules!) I wasn’t having kids passing out on my watch!

taptaroundtheworld · 18/06/2025 09:13

Both of my sons’ schools allow blazers off while seated anyway.
They now also don’t have to wear ties, can have top button open and no blazers at all. So oldest wears grey cotton trousers and a shortsleeved cotton shirt, youngest grey cotton shorts and a cotton shortsleeved shirt.
Everyone happy

StrawberrySquash · 18/06/2025 09:06

It's madness. If I'm hot I take off my jumper/blazer. If I'm cold I put them on. This is how layers work. Shirt, jumper and blazer are all uniform so what's the problem? Why would I need permission?

SuchiRolls · 18/06/2025 09:05

My sons secondary school wear blue v neck jumpers and short sleeve shirt with clip on tie. They have to wear their jumper and tie until they are in the doors, then they can be removed until they leave the external doors again. So uniform is just for show then 🤣 I’m glad for them as it used to be they’d have to leave both on all day, but come on, where’s the duty of care 🤷🏻‍♀️

Avantiagain · 18/06/2025 09:04

I don't mind school uniform but it should be practical and comfortable.