Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
mafted · 07/09/2021 17:29

No idea, being uncomfortably hot isn't conducive to learning and why anyone would sit in a classroom full of sweaty teens is beyond me.

Payproblems · 07/09/2021 17:31

It's very odd and unfortunately is the sort of unfair rule that makes everyone hate the rules!

Ridiculous!!

mbosnz · 07/09/2021 17:32

I'm sure that being hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable in a classroom of 30 odd teens and a teenager which is not air-conditioned (as are many workplaces with possibly remotely similar dresscodes) is so conducive to good manners and behaviour.

How fucking thick are some of these bloody batshit policies?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
Daisy829 · 07/09/2021 17:35

I think this rule is shocking. It’s the same in our local secondary schools & it’s just awful & it can’t be healthy. I’m fairly sure kids can’t concentrate.

mbosnz · 07/09/2021 17:39

It's about time policy got out of the 19th century, and sauntered into the 21st. What with climate change and all . . .

Pieceofpurplesky · 07/09/2021 17:39

Secondary school teacher and i think it's a crazy rule. As is having to wear blazers at lunchtime etc.

One of the first thing I tell all my classes is that they can take them off and drink from their water bottles - they don't need to ask.'

Original poster
MyMushroomsInATimeSlip · 07/09/2021 17:40

Thanks for all your responses!
No one else knows then?!
I'm all for DS having good manners but I'm struggling to see how this one relates. And surely it's more disruptive to have to ask? Plus, will the answer ever be no? We all feel temperature a bit differently so am perplexed by this.

In answer to a PP - In DS's blazers MUST be worn when walking in the school. Even in 30+ degree heat apparently or it's a uniform strike if you're caught

OP posts:
Original poster
MyMushroomsInATimeSlip · 07/09/2021 17:42

Yes, to the problem of hot and sweaty teenagers too. Not helped by short sleeve shirts not being allowed in Autunm term. I kept my distance from DS today until he showered!

OP posts:
Bigassbeebuzzbuzz · 07/09/2021 17:42

I used to tell mine when it was this hot dont bother taking your blazers but they both insisted they HAD to take them just to be told if they could take it off otherwise they would be in isolation. Especially when they expect a logoed pe kit why the kids cant wear that on days like today instead?

Thatsplentyjack · 07/09/2021 17:44

That's just fine king cruel! They will make the children ill! I would be telling my child ti take the blazer off no matter what any teacher told them. I would also be telling the school if they tried to enforce that ridiculous rule with my child I would be reporting them.

Cherryana · 07/09/2021 17:45

There is research to suggest that schools where uniform is stricter get better results. Sort of in a ‘bit hot on the small stuff’ and it won’t escalate to bigger stuff.

BUT in this case I think it’s taking the concept a step too far. And for what it’s worth - best school I ever worked in there was no uniform and the pupils called by our first names.

But most schools exist with a culture rooted in a rigid hierarchy (Sir)!!!

Antsinyourpanta · 07/09/2021 17:45

My DC school also have this rule. I think its pretty and stupid and can see no good reason for it. Before the school holidays the head emailed to say on a couple of days (when it was over 30°c they were permitted to not wear blazers at school)

My DS is a real hot bod and spends his life wearing tshirt and shorts (and usually crocs!) all year round when not at school. Hes just started year 7 and was too hot last week in a blazer when it wasnt even warm. He'll be boiling today. And hes aggrieved about having to wear long trousers!🤣

Blueskyrainshowers · 07/09/2021 17:46

I pulled my kids out and home educated due to this sort of shit. It's ridiculous.

Pythonesque · 07/09/2021 17:46

In this sort of weather, independent schools will usually make a "shirt sleeve order".

Teenagers are an age group prone to fainting and wearing more clothes than appropriate in hot weather won't help! I'd raise it as a safety issue and keep raising it until the weather changes, then discuss further by Easter along the lines of, how will you ensure students' safety in the summer term.

Greenandcabbagelooking · 07/09/2021 17:47

I say this at the beginning of every term, and the first few lessons for Yr 7. "You are all big enough to decide if you are too warm. If you are hot, take your blazer off."

I don't have to ask to take layers off, why should children?

BananaPB · 07/09/2021 17:47

@MyMushroomsInATimeSlip

Yes, to the problem of hot and sweaty teenagers too. Not helped by short sleeve shirts not being allowed in Autunm term. I kept my distance from DS today until he showered!
How do they know if someone is wearing short sleeves?

My ds wears short sleeved shirts under his blazer in all weathers for sensory reasons

DeadButDelicious · 07/09/2021 17:49

I was just talking to my dad about secondary school uniforms the other day, I was saying how I used to moan about it at the time (back in the 90's) but at least you were allowed to take your blazer off when it was boiling without having to ask permission!

It's all gone a bit far if you ask me. The price of them, the very strict rules surrounding them, I get the idea behind uniform and I agree with it in the most part but I sincerely hope things will have relaxed a bit by the time DD starts secondary.

eurochick · 07/09/2021 17:49

It's very old fashioned. It still happens in court rooms in the real world but I can't think of other examples.

MrsJackGrealish · 07/09/2021 17:50

They had this rule at school when I was there. My DD goes to the same school and they still have the same rule.

Haggisfish3 · 07/09/2021 17:54

My school have this but I always let children remove them. They are also obviously allowed them off at break and lunch time. If a teacher said no to my own child, and it happened more than once I would be contacting school.

BusySittingDown · 07/09/2021 17:54

I remember having to ask to remove jumpers when I was at High School too.

My French teacher (from France, not that that makes a difference) was horrified. Someone asked to take their jumper off and she announced to the class that we didn't need to ask her. She said "if you're hot then please take your jumper off. You shouldn't have to ask!" Cue the whole class, who had been sweating but hadn't wanted to ask, all taking their jumpers off.

I mean, the fact that you have to ask is one thing but the fact that the answer might be no is ridiculous!

mim321 · 07/09/2021 17:55

We have the same rule. Going against the flow but it really doesn't bother me. I'm sure the teacher can gauge when the kids are getting too hot and suggest the kids take them off.

RavenclawsRoar · 07/09/2021 17:58

As a secondary teacher, this is one of the most pointless/ stupid rules I've ever come across. I always do a blanket "please feel free to remove your blazers if you need to" at the start of each lesson. Apart from the pupils being uncomfortable, it's such a waste of time having to respond to 30 hands up all asking the same thing!

BitterTits · 07/09/2021 17:59

Because if they can choose to take it off whenever they feel like it, no-one will wear it ever and they my might as well not have them (though I think in hot weather like this schools should just default to summer uniform / no blazer).

DD had to wear a jumper and blazer last week which is just silly. If the blazer is compulsory the jumper ought to be optional.

User5827372728 · 07/09/2021 18:00

Our school has this rule, when I go into the class and before I take the register I say please feel free to take your blazers off throughout the lesson…

Once I let a kid go to the loo before they put their blazer back on… the deputy escorted them back to put their blazer on to walk to the loo- barking mad!