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Original poster

Asking permission to remove school blazer - why?

297 replies

MyMushroomsInATimeSlip · 07/09/2021 17:03

DS had started secondary school this week and now has to ask permission to remove his blazer when he's hot.

Have great respect for teachers as it's not a job I could ever do and generally back up school rules. However I genuinely cannot understand the reason for this one. Can someone enlighten me?

OP posts:
MrsWooster · 07/09/2021 17:07

Watching with interest: ds started today and asked to remove his blazer and was told no, despite 27 degree heat and the fact that it’s their induction day and the rest of the school aren’t even in.

Getyourarseofffthequattro · 07/09/2021 17:08

If you find out op, please let me know. I think it's dispicable.

Soubriquet · 07/09/2021 17:10

There was a big uproar about the local academy that was doing this

Kids had to wear the blazer and tie whilst teachers could wear short sleeved t-shirts etc

I don’t know if things got turned or not but it was because it was “uniform rules”.

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General education
OnlyFlans · 07/09/2021 17:10

It's bad enough that school uniforms consist of formal shirts, ties and blazers all of which are stiff, uncomfortable and actually not worn in most modern workplaces.

But to make kids keep it all on in this heat is just cruel.

bizboz · 07/09/2021 17:10

Same at my DC's school. Seems crazy and a waste of valuable lesson time if each child has to keep asking if they can take their blazer off!

H1978 · 07/09/2021 17:11

Dd is starting year 7 tomorrow and I know she’s going to find her blazer uncomfortable after a while. Can I ask, do they need permission in class or just walking around school? I think in dd’s school they have to wear it all the time. Must be awful in the hot weather.

Happy36 · 07/09/2021 17:13

Contact governors/the Head.

Teachers don't make these rules and also think they're batshit.

As a temporary measure, write a note explaining your DC's blazer was damaged (bloodstain/bleached or shrunk in the wash/devoured by a passing panther/etc.) and is being cleaned and repaired for the duration of the heatwave.

maddy68 · 07/09/2021 17:13

To instill manners

Topseyt · 07/09/2021 17:14

This is the sort of thing I always found ridiculous. This enforcement of uniform policy to ridiculous levels. It is one of many things that turned me from being very pro school uniform to thinking that maybe abolition wouldn't be such a bad idea.

I'm currently just sitting in the garden in shorts and a t-shirt and cannot even contemplate wearing something that is essentially a winter garment (as a blazer is).

Poetrypatty · 07/09/2021 17:16

It's very controlling. Generally done by people who'd like to run the school like the army, absolute BS.

Soubriquet · 07/09/2021 17:16

@maddy68

To instill manners
Bollocks

Do you ask your manager if you can remove your jacket whilst at work?

GoWalkabout · 07/09/2021 17:18

Indeed it is a stupid concept imo

Mariell · 07/09/2021 17:18

I wouldn’t t send my child in wearing a blazer if that’s the case.

Topseyt · 07/09/2021 17:18

@maddy68

To instill manners
Since when did you need to bake children to instill manners.

Personally, I am more likely to be grouchy if I am sweltering.

AugustRose · 07/09/2021 17:21

God I hate secondary school uniform rules. We have 3 with similar uniforms and I was quite surprised at how lenient the grammar school is (DD2 (14) attends) compared to the other two. Especially since one of them got a new Head two years ago and he's very into changing the uniform (matching jumpers & skirts only) with strict adherence, including different ties for different year groups, 100% attendance pins and all that shit. We are deciding school for DS2 soon and it's putting me right off.

Tinabn · 07/09/2021 17:22

Could be part of a general risk assessment, if you have to evacuate the room 25-30 blazers add to trip hazards. They are also frequently left behind, just as frequently unnamed and a bugger to reunite with the correct owner.

AugustRose · 07/09/2021 17:22

And on the actual subject Grin yes, the other two both expect kids to ask before removing their blazers on hot days Hmm

mineofuselessinformation · 07/09/2021 17:23

It's a blanket rule as if it wasn't, students could remove blazer, tie etc at will.
FWIW, at my school students are supposed to ask - but I tell them at the start of the year they can take it off when with me. They just need to have it on when they leave the room. (I don't have the authority to change that rule!)

maureenponderosa · 07/09/2021 17:24

Former primary school teacher here.
I have never understood this rule. Whenever I had children in my class ask permission to take off their jumpers, I'd make it very clear that they are free to regulate their own temperatures, and that I trusted them to ensure their jumpers were put somewhere neat ("dressing" the back of their chair, for example).
We should be instilling independence in our children. It is the very basic premise of our job as teachers.

Peanutsandchilli · 07/09/2021 17:25

Our school is the same. It's barmy. I had to laugh today when I saw one of the new year 7s walking home without his shirt on because he was too warm.

Simonjt · 07/09/2021 17:26

Lots of schools that have this the teachers often give whole class permission at the start of lesson, if all children come in with blazer etc on it also means the teacher doesn’t have to ask each child not wear a blazer where it is etc.

BananaPB · 07/09/2021 17:26

This is the rule at our school too. Ds is starting y11 tomorrow so looking forward to being allowed to take layers off from next year.

RainyDay2020 · 07/09/2021 17:26

I think it’s ridiculous and luckily my sons school sends out Facebook messages and emails ahead of hot weather saying “no blazers today”.

TheWeeDonkey · 07/09/2021 17:28

My son's school had this rule too. I think its quite inhumane and ridiculous. Who does it help, kids can't concentrate when they're uncomfortable and the classrooms all stink of BO. I noticed one of the schools near me, the kids can wear shorts and polo shirts in warmer weather which seems more sensible to me.

chococats · 07/09/2021 17:28

'To instill manners'? Maybe they would have better manners if they were treated with a bit of respect! If you are too hot, you should be able to take off your blazer, some people feel the heat/cold more than others. I have worked in smart offices, never once has anyone ever had to ask to remove a suit jacket if they are hot so what is the point exactly in this stupid rule?
It's the same at my children's secondary school, plus today they've been told they are 'not allowed' to go to the toilet during lessons! Too disruptive apparently! How about treating them with a bit of respect and dignity, if you need to go, you need to go, and if some kids want to spend too long in there wasting time then let them, why should everyone else be punished because of a small minority?
I was at secondary school during the 90s and we could take our blazer off, and go to the toilet if we needed it! Didn't realise how lucky we were at the time, when did these schools become so militant?