Do you think schools should relax uniforms policies re hot weather

Teacher - secondary. Where I work blazers and jumpers are optional during the summer term. Blazing heat = PE kit if you want.

My kids school is crazy strict on uniform (eg tights are different for ks3/4 and tights/ankle socks (white)/knee socks (blue) are timetabled through the year) - they wear PE kit when it’s hot.

No blazers until end of term for DD except for the whole school photo which seems fair enough and weekly chapel which is also fine because that’s at 9am and in a cold building. Jumpers/cardigans are never mandatory and the older girls who don’t wear the summer dress can do a skirt, short sleeved open neck blouse and ankle socks.

What on earth is the point of forcing the kids to swelter? It’s hardly going to be good for learning and just seems archaic since most workplaces are a lot more relaxed these days and then even if you work at Foxtons they’ll have air conditioning. Nowhere would an adult be expected to sit in a 30+ degree room in a suit, tie and jumper. How is it ok to do that to school kids?

No blazers this week where I teach - they can leave them at home.

Many years ago, when I was around 5 or 6, I remember my headteacher apologising profusely in an assembly for taking his blazer off in the heat. I was utterly bemused by his apology at the time, because it seemed to me blindingly obvious that you should not wear a blazer if you're really hot, and that nobody would care in the slightest if you took it off.

I remain utterly bemused that schools are not just using their common sense on this. It is ridiculous to make kids wear unnecessary layers of clothing in hot weather, and I can't see how being uncomfortably hot and sweaty is likely to be in any way conducive to their learning.

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.

I’m a stickler for school uniform but agree completely. It’s total bollocks. Loosening the rules slightly in the heat would be far more conducive to learning.

I think school PE kits should be designed so that they can be worn in warm weather as an alternative uniform.

I can't help but think. Its about control. I amt see any logic reason at all.

I remember a thread one year where the headteacher of a school was swanning around in a blazer during a heatwave like a massive wanker.

How absolutely ridiculous. My boys are in hoodies and joggers as usual today as it’s cool here but tomorrow when it’s hot will be in shorts and T-shirt. Very loose guidelines for uniform here. They have logo hoodies and T-shirts.

Son’s school is pretty good. They are allowed their blazers off, tie off and top button undone. Independent school.

I think if the children have the be in blazers and jumpers the teachers and governors also need to be wearing the equivalent. That might focus their minds.

I'm in favour of uniform generally but a sensible summer alternative ought to be mandatory for all schools.

Several schools I work with have said shorts and T-shirt school PE kit is acceptable and children can choose uniform or PE kit. Most choose PE kit. I think this is really sensible and the kids seem to appreciate it.

I'd love to hear the views of the people who voted yabu as I can't think of one reason why kids should be forced to wear blazers in 30 degree weather and I'd be curious of actual reasons

Yes.
If a workplace tried that nonsense all hell would break loose.

What senior school staff forget is that almost all offices and workplaces are air conditioned. Even then, staff are allowed to wear almost anything they like as long as it's presentable.

No blazers or ties this week at our school, thank goodness

I did, as did a number of other parents, for the school my 3 attended (secondary). We were largely ignored.

Our secondary school was like that, blazers were not to be removed under no circumstances.
Last year a new head teacher arrived and straight away on Monday morning we got an email to say blazers could be left at home. Very sensible.

Yes this drives me mad as well. Last hot spell we had, mine went dizzy when he was rushing off to a lesson and felt awful. It's madness. If I went dizzy at work the first thing my boss would say would be 'ern why are you wearing a blazer, buttoned up shirt and a tie in this heat?!' but no, kids have to endure it, often in poorly ventilated buildings. If they drink too much water and need the toilet - not allowed out of lessons. It just feels like we are focusing on the wrong things.

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

DC's school has made blazers optional for the rest of the academic year (jumpers are always optional).

This is ridiculous, I don’t have children in high school yet but I will do come September. Surely as parents we can challenge this? It’s due to be 30c Thursday and Friday where I am, absolutely not jumper or blazer weather. When did schools get this like? I’m 32 and back when I was in the seniors we were allowed to turn up in our shirt and tie, no jumper or blazer in sight.

Yeah same with us - we get a hot weather notice and the kids can lose blazers or jumpers or whatever. We even had removal of ties once!

My DC's school has said the kids needn't wear blazers or jumpers for the rest of term.