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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School blazer

132 replies

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 07/09/2022 18:47

Ds has been given a 90 min detention today as he did not ask permission to remove his school blazer during his first lesson today.

The school uniform has only just changed this year (today is their 1st day back) to a jumper/blazer.

In Y7 uniform was a polo shirt and jumper , Y8 uniform changed to a white shirt and tie and then this year Y9 to a shirt, tie jumper and blazer.

NOTHING is in the school policy that you have to request verbal permission to remove the school blazer when in class.

Ds form tutor mentioned nothing to the pupils today about blazer etiquette.

Ds took his blazer off as it was aggravating his eczema however was immediately told off and was given the detention and behaviour points, he tried to explain/show the teacher his skin however was told to stop asking and do his work.

Ds has a rare form of eczema and will now require a course of steroid treatments, the school is fully aware of his medical history (anaphylaxis allergies and skin conditions) also this teacher is fully aware of his medical history as she has taught him since Y7 and also had to administer ds his emergency care plan during a lesson last year.

Tbf im between angry and annoyed, it’s the first day of schooling and of course everyone makes mistakes/over cautious but then this teacher has caused ds condition to flare up and ignored his pleas when trying to explain he was hurting and uncomfortable, I don’t find this acceptable.

Tomorrow I will be requesting that his school nurse provide a pass to remove his blazer, he shouldn’t need to openly discuss his medical condition in front of his peers! in fact my personal opinion is that no child should be forced to sit in a jumper/blazer if they are hot.

AIBU to refuse to allow ds to attend the detention? tomorrow and phone the school to request they amend their school policy to reflect uniform etiquette?

OP posts:
CoastalWave · 07/09/2022 18:49

Normally I would say let the school deal with things as they see fit.

But with this - no. I'd be going mental!

Ask for an immediate meeting. This is disgraceful.

x2boys · 07/09/2022 18:50

Ouch that looks ,nasty,
They need to making reasonable adjustments for him and I would also kick up a fuss if my son had a detention for similar, is it an academy school by any chance?

terriblyangryattimes · 07/09/2022 18:50

Definitely get on the phone tomorrow, potentially with an email tonight. Your poor son, I am dreading my kids being at secondary school with these ridiculous blazer rules.

MarsupiIami · 07/09/2022 18:51

Oof that looks awful! Poor lad. I would be on to the school too.

SunshineClouds1 · 07/09/2022 18:53

What the hell, ask permission to take off a blazer?
Ridiculous I'd ring them tomorrow

Knittingnanny2 · 07/09/2022 19:01

I’m a now retired teacher and most complaints make me raise my eyebrows but definitely not this one! You are absolutely right to disagree with the ridiculous punishment
Good luck and hope his skin clears up quickly.

Olsi109 · 07/09/2022 19:09

Secondary teacher here (also done pastoral). I would expect a call about this. I would contact the school and ask to speak to his head of year. Ask them first if they are aware of your sons condition. (They should be but this will tell you if they've actually read it and passed on the info to his teachers - if they aren't then this needs addressing separately).

Explain that there is nothing in the policy and yes a child should be able to take off their blazer if uncomfortable - often keeping them on in the Corridors is a requirement but not the classroom - and tell them your son will not be completing the detention and you also want the behaviour points removing. 90 minutes is ludicrous for any kind of detention tbh.

Then I would move on to the teacher. Your son has a medical reason for needing to remove his blazer and he was told to be quiet and stop trying to get his very valid point across - just dismissed. Very poor actions from a teacher and they need speaking to about how to deal with students with medical needs appropriately.

Soubriquet · 07/09/2022 19:10

Ouch. That looks sore.

I would be kicking up a fuss too. I hate that some schools have implemented the policy of this too. I wouldn’t follow it for my dc and I would dispute any detentions.

It’s worse in the summer. The teachers come in short sleeves and loose clothing. The kids are expected to wear full uniform including the blazer

catsonahottinroof · 07/09/2022 19:11

YANBU AT ALL and definitely mention duty of care in your complaint. I hate these blazer policies and think it is all about control as there never seem to be policies in primary schools about removing jumpers/cardigans. It's like secondary school pupils are suddenly deemed incapable.

Ratupadrain · 07/09/2022 19:22

I'd be asking them why has he been punished for merely trying to make himself comfortable enough to concentrate on learning.

Original poster
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 07/09/2022 19:45

x2boys yes it’s an academy school, a good one in fairness but this to me is not acceptable and could have been completely avoidable.

He will now need to be on a 7/10 day course of steroid treatment as this type of flare up will become worse before it gets better unfortunately, last time it spread all over his neck/face and chest, the joys of a weakened immune system.

*Olsi109 I had a meeting with the school last week when doing his care plan /giving his emergency medical pack and was advised all teachers would be made aware of his conditions not just his teachers, so will email to check if his info has been passed.

Due to his type of allergies he has 3 sets of emergency kits stored in different locations within his school.

OP posts:
Knittingnanny2 · 07/09/2022 19:56

And also , as a teacher and mother, I would not be letting my son go to the detention. The school could then deal with me re the non attendance at said detention.

Sunnyqueen · 07/09/2022 20:06

What I don't get is that all these teachers are supposed to be so overworked and so over stretched mentally all the time, how do they possibly have the inclination and headspace to dole out sanctions for this stupid shit.
Trying to put myself in a teachers shoes I genuinely struggle to see how I would muster up the fucks to bat an eyelid at an uncomfortable student taking their blazer off. That must take a special sort of a jobsworth.

SBAM · 07/09/2022 20:10

Never mind in trouble for taking the blazer off, should he even be wearing it ever if it can do this to his skin?
I hope his treatment sorts it out quickly.

Original poster
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 07/09/2022 20:47

SBAM most clothes are fine for him however he needs to stay cool, if not his body reacts and he will have flare ups, he knows how to manage his condition however wasn’t allowed to.

He’s just returned from training with his dad and he’s been upset in the car as he now “has to take more stupid meds” because the teacher controlled his “human rights”. - he’s just turned 13 and tbh I can understand his annoyance and frustration.

Both me and his dad are going to request a meeting asap, as he’s right, he shouldn’t be forced to shut up and put up when it comes to his health as ultimately he’s the one suffering, he knows his to manage his medical condition and no one should be forcing him to not be able manage his condition.

I struggling to understand the teachers logic tbh, who on earth wants 25/30 kids requesting permission to remove their blazers each lesson?. 🤔

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 07/09/2022 20:53

SBAM · 07/09/2022 20:10

Never mind in trouble for taking the blazer off, should he even be wearing it ever if it can do this to his skin?
I hope his treatment sorts it out quickly.

This. Or have a long sleeved shirt on underneath?

Original poster
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 07/09/2022 21:03

We’ve amended his uniform to suit him, he wears a lightweight organic jumper and we purchased the school logos and sewed on, his white shirts are organic long sleeves and again not purchased from the uniform shop.

He wears lightweight organic school trousers, unfortunately we couldn’t find a blazer to match his school one so had purchase the schools.

You wouldn’t be able to tell but we’ve done our best to comply with the school policy to suit his needs.

Anyway getting off topic as I started this thread asking if I was BU about his detention and not supporting the school sanction rather than how to manage his condition.

OP posts:
x2boys · 07/09/2022 21:07

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 07/09/2022 19:45

x2boys yes it’s an academy school, a good one in fairness but this to me is not acceptable and could have been completely avoidable.

He will now need to be on a 7/10 day course of steroid treatment as this type of flare up will become worse before it gets better unfortunately, last time it spread all over his neck/face and chest, the joys of a weakened immune system.

*Olsi109 I had a meeting with the school last week when doing his care plan /giving his emergency medical pack and was advised all teachers would be made aware of his conditions not just his teachers, so will email to check if his info has been passed.

Due to his type of allergies he has 3 sets of emergency kits stored in different locations within his school.

Oh I agree totally I asked, because ime academy schools particularly those run by academy trusts seem to be obsessed by uniform .

bringbackveronicamars · 07/09/2022 21:09

I would be challenging the detention and the teacher's treatment of your child. Completely unacceptable, poor boy.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 07/09/2022 21:44

I really do not understand schools these days. My boys' school has a similar policy - can't remove blazer without permission, can only wear black socks, no earrings, no make up, no 'outlandish' hairstyles...these are all punished with an internal exclusion.

Fucking ridiculous even if you don't have a blazer that aggravates eczema!

Original poster
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 07/09/2022 21:44

I’m glad I’m not the only one thinking this is unacceptable.

OP posts:
Original poster
HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 08/09/2022 07:29

Well looks like a day to the hospital for ds 😡his skin has flared up so much that I’m fearful it’s turning into eczema herpeticum so he will likely need admitted for IV antiviral meds!!!!

I am beyond angry!!!! All this could have been easily avoidable if he was simply
listen too!!!

OP posts:
Isaidnoalready · 08/09/2022 07:34

It's actually the norm in this area for blazers not to be removed without permission however they are told verbally in writing in the uniform book and intake what is expected uniform wise and blazer wise

Carrieonmywaywardsun · 08/09/2022 07:43

I am so so annoyed for you. Hope DS is treated soon, and the staff at school realise what they've done. They don't have a clue what their students go through and there's no respect for them when it comes to making their own decisions.

AhCheeses · 08/09/2022 07:46

x2boys · 07/09/2022 18:50

Ouch that looks ,nasty,
They need to making reasonable adjustments for him and I would also kick up a fuss if my son had a detention for similar, is it an academy school by any chance?

@x2boys that was my first thought, too.
I knew it would be an academy.

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend you're absolutely not unreasonable at all. I would 100% be asking for a meeting with the school and making sure he's exempt from this ridiculous rule.
I don't think any of them should have to ask permission to make themselves more comfortable but especially your son when he has a legitimate condition that they know about.
I wouldn't be sending him to a 90minute detention either. That's ridiculous!

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