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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU not to send DD in tomorrow due to dress code?

43 replies

SmoothPorridgeOats · 22/06/2026 20:29

Name changed as this has been debated in the class chat and I think a few people use this forum.

DDs class (reception) have forest school tomorrow. They pride themselves on doing forest school come rain or shine which I usually do completely agree with. However, they must be in full length trousers and full length tops tomorrow, and they walk from the school up to forest school and back, and will be there in peak heat hours tomorrow. My weather app states it will be 34 degrees.

There is no budging on the clothes, as a couple have suggested going in PE kits (which they did today due to heat)

AIBU to think this is absurd? I'm in the Home Counties where the hugest of temperatures are.
Not to drop feed but DD does have a medical condition which means she does get dehydrated more quickly than usual but she is very very good at drinking her water. I'm worried about her overheating in her clothes.

Keen to hear others opinions! Thank you

OP posts:
poetryandwine · 22/06/2026 20:44

I agree with PP. In brutal Mediterranean heat we always try to cover up in lightweight cotton, silk or linen. Dressing this way and staying hydrated is the best protection.

Also, wearing a sun hat with a wet handkerchief underneath, and possibly another wet cloth around the neck, is very helpful.

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 22/06/2026 20:43

SmoothPorridgeOats · 22/06/2026 20:42

We've just had an email to say it's been cancelled.
Sorry to waste your time, there's been a bit of commotion in the group chat so I gather that's why they've cancelled it. Multiple parents stated they wouldn't be sending their child in if that was the clothing choice which was my original stance on it.

They should have let it go ahead with parents choice of clothing I think, but there we are!

edited because I cannot spell this evening!

Edited

PHEW!

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 22/06/2026 20:42

I think if you would dress her in joggers and a long sleeved top and take her on a day trip to a local National Trust place including an outdoor walk of however long in 34 degree heat, then send her in. I wouldn’t personally do that and I’d write a letter stating that to the school.

I kept one child off due to poor conditions once, I said to the school that I wouldn’t walk that distance (to get to school) in those conditions so I wasn’t going to make my child do it, and they just said ‘fair enough’.

I’ve heard Forest School is brilliant, and school in general is extremely important, but 34 degrees? It’s not that important. Records are going to be broken, if she started vomiting tonight she would miss two days and no one would think anything of it.

And yes, I know other countries have it hotter. But OP isn’t asking about other countries.

Original poster
SmoothPorridgeOats · 22/06/2026 20:42

We've just had an email to say it's been cancelled.
Sorry to waste your time, there's been a bit of commotion in the group chat so I gather that's why they've cancelled it. Multiple parents stated they wouldn't be sending their child in if that was the clothing choice which was my original stance on it.

They should have let it go ahead with parents choice of clothing I think, but there we are!

edited because I cannot spell this evening!

OP posts:
Plasticdreams · 22/06/2026 20:40

SmoothPorridgeOats · 22/06/2026 20:36

Yes very good point. I'd send her in linen if she was allowed!

Show quote history

Of course you can. You don’t have to send her in heavy jogging bottoms- it’s just a guide As long as she’s covered they’ll be fine with it.

EveryKneeShallBow · 22/06/2026 20:38

OK, I have changed my mind on reading your updates. I would send her in full length clothes you feel appropriate. I would not be sending in joggers. X

Plasticdreams · 22/06/2026 20:37

Just wear cotton long sleeve top and leggings - i always wear long sleeve shirts and skirts to protect myself from the sun,

onmylastnerveseriously · 22/06/2026 20:37

Keep her off. And tell them why so they can learn from it

Original poster
SmoothPorridgeOats · 22/06/2026 20:36

WheretheFishesareFrightening · 22/06/2026 20:34

I’ll be going out in full length trousers and tops this week, but prioritising silk, linen and lightweight cotton. Much better than exposing bare skin to the sun for a host of reasons. Most Arab countries will have people dressed head to toe in the height of summer, it’s for good reason.

Yes very good point. I'd send her in linen if she was allowed!

OP posts:
Original poster
SmoothPorridgeOats · 22/06/2026 20:35

Pearlstillsinging · 22/06/2026 20:33

YANBU because of the heat and your DD's medical needs but shorts and Forest school don't go together well think of all the nettles thistles and brambles they will need to walk through
I'm surprised school hasn't cancelled the session tbh.

I agree, there's also ticks here too so I do agree in principle. I just think they should be allowed to wear clothes from home. I have plenty of light weight clothing for her here but it's stipulated joggers and long sleeved T shirt. Tempted to send her in some grey thin PJ type trousers

OP posts:
EveryKneeShallBow · 22/06/2026 20:34

For health reasons I have to be very careful with sun. I’ve been advised to 1. Stay indoors;or else 2. Loose, UV blocking full cover up, head to toe.

Edited to add: This is in Scotland, even when the sun is not shining.

WheretheFishesareFrightening · 22/06/2026 20:34

I’ll be going out in full length trousers and tops this week, but prioritising silk, linen and lightweight cotton. Much better than exposing bare skin to the sun for a host of reasons. Most Arab countries will have people dressed head to toe in the height of summer, it’s for good reason.

Original poster
SmoothPorridgeOats · 22/06/2026 20:33

Sorry I should have said, it's not her own clothes she's wearing. It's PE clothes so jogging bottoms and long sleeved shirt (T shirt material)

she has lightweight clothing here I would happily dress her in, but its uniform tomorrow.

OP posts:
Pearlstillsinging · 22/06/2026 20:33

YANBU because of the heat and your DD's medical needs but shorts and Forest school don't go together well think of all the nettles thistles and brambles they will need to walk through
I'm surprised school hasn't cancelled the session tbh.

Fishinthesink · 22/06/2026 20:32

Very lightweight long sleeves are usually cooler than bare skin. Do you have any really light tops and trousers? My kids are very pale and we lived in the ME and they were always in long sleeves and trousers to keep the sun off.

TeenToTwenties · 22/06/2026 20:31

Full length sounds a sensible way to avoid sunburn.
I guess it depends whether she has suitable loose lightweight uv protective full length clothing.

Tableforjoan · 22/06/2026 20:31

I’ve no problem with their uniform. Keeping skin covered in this case not just from the sun but bugs and such. She won’t burn and if she’s wearing the right materials shouldn’t be too hot.

LIZS · 22/06/2026 20:31

I would suspect the long sleeves and trousers are to protect against stings and bites as well as sunburn.