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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:
wanderlove · 07/09/2021 20:31

I’m a teacher. We have this rule. We also have it for staff…so for all those asking would you have to ask to take your jacket off at work. I bloody do! If it’s hot I just say feel
Free to take your blazer off you don’t need to ask. I don’t really get or agree with the blazer rule but generally my place is a really good school and place to work with the kids interests at heart so I just suck it up. They won’t let them boil—it’s not draconian in that they have to keep the blazers on—I think it’s to do with ‘asking’ and permission?

Peteycat · 07/09/2021 20:31

I'm not trying to sneak anything in so you can fuck off with your accusations.

I'm not accusing you. You did. No need for it, I've had enough of it. Posturing about your mask wearing when this thread is absolutely nothing to do with it at all. Oh and how lovely of you to give me such an eloquent response. Well done.

Peteycat · 07/09/2021 20:34

Wanderlove, I think though that they shouldn't have to ask. In fact I know they shouldn't have to ask. For what reason exactly?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
Rowgtfc72 · 07/09/2021 20:36

Dds blazer has been in her bag a day. She doesn't handle heat very well. She was asked as she entered school where it was and she calmly said- in my bag. Nothing was said, her teachers are sensible and know it was baking and personally I wouldn't want to cross my 5ft 11 angry, sweaty, red headed teenager😁

AngelPrint · 07/09/2021 20:36

@MyMushroomsInATimeSlip The reason I know of is that it’s to stop that low level behaviour that disrupts the class from the start. 30 kids all slowly taking off blazers at random intervals throughout the class, elaborate hanging of them on back of chairs, dropping them, rehanging them, rummaging in pockets behind them for pens etc. It seems daft at first glance and hard to see a reason, but it’s used as a tactic to stop this very clever disruption throughout classes where students are very wide eyed and innocent. “What sir I was only taking my blazer off, I wasn’t doing anything”. Secondary age kids are MASTERS of the cleverly disguised disruption tactic.

This way students are directed by the teacher and if teacher gives permission at the start it’s all over with quicker than students doing it as and when. In reality only a mean teacher would force them to sit overheating. I’m not saying that doesn’t happen but that’s a specific teacher thing and should be addressed separately.

Most people think it’s mad, but when you see it in classrooms I’m always impressed at how removing a blazer can take the whole class attention away.

Blazers worn on corridors is to stop them being dropped and lost.

Of course, as with all things school related, uproar will no doubt ensue at my explanation. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong - but the OP asked for a reason and this is one reason it’s used as a rule that I know of. Don’t shoot the messenger Grin

DinosApple · 07/09/2021 20:38

We have a slightly different problem, DD1's secondary don't have blazers. It's skirt/trousers, polo and jumper only. They are not allowed to wear coats/hoodies inside the school building. With Covid, winter, etc, open windows etc and it's freezing even with thermals if you can get your teen to wear them!

Peteycat · 07/09/2021 20:40

Angel Print, no I don't buy that explanation. They could mess about with anything, they do I'm sure. That doesn't explain or justify why they have to ask to regulate their own body temperature as human beings.

SunShinesBrightly · 07/09/2021 20:41

[quote Peteycat]@sunshinesbrightly, I wish more people were like you! They just need support and care not silly rules.[/quote]
Don’t get me wrong, I am very strict!
I just KNOW from having my own DC and from teaching for 25+ years that if children are physically uncomfortable or wound up they can’t function properly (or play up).

Peteycat · 07/09/2021 20:49

Exactly. I'm sure you aren't strict, you just have healthy boundaries for the children!

Original poster
MyMushroomsInATimeSlip · 07/09/2021 20:50

@wanderlove Who do you ask permission from????

@AngelPrint your explanation does make sense for in the classroom so thank you - I hadn't thought of the disruption side of things.

DS isn't allowed to take his blazer off between classes or at breaks. I guess that's to do with losing them?

OP posts:
BananaPB · 07/09/2021 20:51

This isn't about covid or masks so please dont sneak it in to every day threads.

I've seen many threads not on the CV board mention the pandemic in a reply. Perhaps you need to go and police those too. I don't need you telling what I can and can not say.

Peteycat · 07/09/2021 20:54

No you are free to. However I'm free to challenge you about it too. I'm not policing, just asked you nicely to please stop. There is a coronavirus topic BTW, you can talk about it there.

TheSockMonster · 07/09/2021 20:55

DS’s school let them put blazers in bags if it’s hot and they have the option of polo shirts and no blazer in the summer term.

DD’s school (her second day today) apparently told them they must wear their blazers on the school buses, when walking home and waiting for buses (they’re ambassadors of the school apparently Hmm), in corridors and waiting for lessons, entering and exiting lessons, in the assembly hall and in the school canteen(!) Basically, they can remove them on the field and in lessons with the permission of their teachers. The school also insists on long sleeved shirts so she was boiling and has come home both days with a headache.

Absolutely fucking pointless rule as far as I can tell.

AngelPrint · 07/09/2021 20:56

@Peteycat

Angel Print, no I don't buy that explanation. They could mess about with anything, they do I'm sure. That doesn't explain or justify why they have to ask to regulate their own body temperature as human beings.
You don’t have to buy it. That’s the reason it’s used in my school. Along with lots of other measures to reduce the small stuff from getting big. As a whole it works and we have outstanding results in an area of significant deprivation.

Like I said, I knew people would argue it, they always do with everything school related. Dammed if we do and fanned if we don’t do there’s no winning on the internet. But OP asked for a REASON and this is ours.

HerLadySheep · 07/09/2021 20:56

The only place as an adult that I have ever encountered ridiculous rules about asking to remove a jacket is in a Courtroom and in a golf club, both are archaic places with ridiculous rules!
Most people know if they're too hot and it's simple enough to remove a layer of clothing where appropriate in order to cool down.

BananaPB · 07/09/2021 20:57

I am very sorry for your loss. Thanks

User135792468 · 07/09/2021 20:58

This thread has made me laugh. I spent my day today asking the teenagers I teach why they still have their blazer on when it’s so hot?!? I would say half of them kept them on despite me saying come on, it’s boiling! Some said they weren’t hot, others said that if your sweaty your shirt goes see through and it’s gross and others just shrugged. All of this how awful schools are and half the children can’t be bothered to take it off!

toomuchlaundry · 07/09/2021 20:58

At DS's school they have shirt sleeve order, which means blazers can be removed. Think it is the head boy or girl who can give this order. Has military connotations I think

Peteycat · 07/09/2021 20:59

Angel Print, I fully understand what you are explaining I just don't agree. The majority on here don't either. Like I said, the kids mess with everything probably. I was the world's worst fidgeter (still am). I just believe in choice, but hats off to you being a high school teacher because I could not do it!

OnTheBrink1 · 07/09/2021 21:00

@Mariell

I wouldn’t t send my child in wearing a blazer if that’s the case.
Hilarious comment. Do you actually have a child currently in a secondary school where blazers are compulsory uniform?
Peteycat · 07/09/2021 21:01

"20:57BananaPB

I am very sorry for your loss."

Think you got the wrong thread.

AngelPrint · 07/09/2021 21:02

@Peteycat

Angel Print, I fully understand what you are explaining I just don't agree. The majority on here don't either. Like I said, the kids mess with everything probably. I was the world's worst fidgeter (still am). I just believe in choice, but hats off to you being a high school teacher because I could not do it!
Exactly. You don’t agree. I’m not surprised of course. But I wasn’t asking you to agree. It is what it is.
Peteycat · 07/09/2021 21:03

21:00OnTheBrink1

Mariell

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

Hilarious comment. Do you actually have a child currently in a secondary school where blazers are compulsory uniform?"

It's not hilarious at all. If lots of parents did this they would have to rethink their ridiculous policies. We need more people like Mariell.

Mazblue86 · 07/09/2021 21:05

All the stupid rules and regs are control measures. The only way to ensure a safe environment in a high school is to be extremely controlling. Parents really need to understand this - allow children choices about where they sit, when they go to the toilet, when they eat etc means that children are in control and adults aren't. It's really very disturbing. I'm a high school teacher and my kids are to be home schooled because I don't want my kids being treated like they are uncivilised.

MsAwesomeDragon · 07/09/2021 21:11

@Peteycat

21:00OnTheBrink1

Mariell

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

Hilarious comment. Do you actually have a child currently in a secondary school where blazers are compulsory uniform?"

It's not hilarious at all. If lots of parents did this they would have to rethink their ridiculous policies. We need more people like Mariell.

Yet that's a really unfair thing for a parent to do to a child. If you send your child to a school with a uniform and then don't provide the uniform for them to wear it's the child who gets in trouble not the parent. As a parent, if you have a problem with a school policy you should speak to the school directly, NOT get your child to fight the battle.