School not allowing children to wear jumpers

[Mac3321]

Dd15 has just gone into year 11 at school. They went back last week and the teachers were pulling children out the classroom to uniform check shoes, nails, blazers, lashes etc.
They were cutting the bows off of the girls school socks if they had them on.
But they also told the children that they weren’t allowed to wear their jumpers (plain black v neck which is stated in the school uniform policy) it doesn’t state that the jumpers can only be worn at certain times.

Their reasoning is that it isn’t cold enough yet and they will tell the children when they can start wearing them.

My daughter feels the cold so easily, She near enough always has a coat on but obviously in class they have to take it off but she said today the classrooms were really cold.

AIBU to call or email the school to ask why? It just seems like a bit of a power move with the whole ‘we will tell you when you can wear it’

No, but I bet they get to decide how to dress appropriately for the weather.

This is the kind of policing that really bothers me because it’s nothing more than a power trip. The high school next to my house where my Dc Will go is like this so I’m hoping we will move in time to avoid it

Email the school, then complain, then complain to the governors who will hopefully have some sense.

Fuck it - this kind of ludicrous rule damages schools.

I’d also be very unimpressed about the teachers damaging children’s property and question why that’s permitted.

Im really not one to question school rules but this type of behaviour is absurd.

Secondary schools are getting pathetic with all these bloody rules. It stresses my daughter out so much

I briefly worked in a school where blazers were only allowed off if the temperature was 25°or hotter! I didn't stay there ling (not for that reason, but because SLT were arses).

It’s probably because the children take them off because they are too hot and then they lose them. Parents then contact the school moaning that their jumper has been lost.

How does the outside temperature change this? It’s just an absurd rule that causes an SLT to look like muppets.

Honestly, this is just rules for the sake of rules. How dare any adult decide when a child is cold enough for a jumper.

This just causes unnecessary resentment when children are there to learn.

Anyone who defends this is batshit.

My youngest’s school is quite pragmatic on this one. Polo shirt is compulsory, v necked jumper and school fleece are optional. Most of the children choose both, and are permitted to change it up depending on how they feel. There’s also a PE hoodie if they want an extra layer for games, and they’re permitted to wear base layers as long as they’re black or navy. It means there are very few arguments about hot/cold/bodyshape/personal preference because there are options and the children are given freedom to use them.

My son identifies as an onion so has all three standard layers on permanently. There’s also a choice of two school coats for the truly cold, though they’re to be removed when they get into school.

Wow, I can’t believe they even check this. Can’t wear a jumper?! Surely they know when they’re hot or cold? What school staff have the time to be checking children’s uniform like that? What is this? 1870?!

I’m an ex primary school teacher and I don’t get the obsession with such strict rules around uniform, yes have one but inspecting bows on socks?! That has absolutely nothing to do with learning or even the real world. I have told little 4/5 year olds to take their jumper off when they’re red and sweating because some literally can’t take their jumper off or just haven’t got the temp regulation developed yet.

Call in and complain YANBU.

Also, seems like a lot of checking of the girls uniform?

so what? that is not a reason to ban them from wearing jumpers fgs.

I thought collective punishments had gone. Obviously not.

And i am also VERY interested to hear if teachers at this school in particular are allowed to dress according to temperature.

Another ex teacher here who finds this obsession with unreasonable school uniform rules utterly ridiculous. Tbh I think that if we continue to have school uniform in schools then it should be relaxed completely anyway. I can see the argument for a smart dress code in the 6th form, but there is no need for a child under 16yo to wear a blazer. In my town we have a 3 tier system- in my nephew's lower school all kids have to wear a stiff collared white shirt, tie, knitted jumper and smart black shoes. The middle school is polo shirt, sweatshirt and smart black shoes. And upper school is polo shirt, sweatshirt, leggings (for the girls) and black trainers. So the uniform requirements are actually less strict the older the kids get which I think is bizarre. All kids should be in soft, comfortable clothing during the school day but I guess this is a whole other argument.

But anyway, yes, I agree with everyone else on here...stupid, controlling, nonsensical rules regarding uniform are batshit.

Why a smart dress code in the 6th form?

I only wore strict uniform when working in retail, in all other jobs I've worn casual clothes varying from smart casual to "just ensure it doesn't have rips in it".

Basically the uniform rules schools are mandating are out of date with most of the working world.

That's not a valid reason for making every pupil uncomfortable. If schools can't deal with moaning parents, they're in the wrong business.

This is something Ofsted needs to look at. Schools that won't let children decide for themselves whether they are too hot or too cold and preventing pupils from learning basic independence skills, and also preventing effective learning. Surely that should downgrade them in terms of Ofsted ratings and safeguarding?

I saw this in the Times today. I mean, this shouldn't even need to be said:

Scottish pupils allowed to ditch blazers to ‘support wellbeing’ (thetimes.com)

It's a bit like fair sport for women, why is it even controversial?

I agree, it should be mentioned in the report so prospective parents know what the priorities of the school are.

They won't unless enough parents make a fuss particularly if the media are involved.

Ofsted would not give a shit if kids aren't allowed to take their blazers off in the classroom, that's not their job.

We got told not to go nuts buying logoed jumpers as the classrooms run really bloody hot (old heating system that seems to work on a binary on full blast/totally off basis) but the rule is that blazers are mandatory, jumpers optional but you can't substitute a jumper and not wear a blazer. Then they've decided that checking the temperature to decide if blazers aren't compulsory on hot days in the summer was getting ridiculous so they're optional for the last half term altogether.

The long tailed black hairbows have been creeping in at my kids' school - haven't seen the bows on socks but I can't say I've been paying much attention. I imagine it'll be something a blind eye is turned to to see if the craze naturally dies its own death before our school management act on it just from previous uniform messaging. They're the sort who'll let cold kneecaps as the weather turns drive girls back into trousers and tights to resolve the issue naturally.

I'd be bloody pissed off if school cut any part of my kids' uniform though - I'm annoyed that a tutor took it upon themselves to biro DD1's name and form onto her school tie label when it was really clearly labelled already - with full name down the centre back of the tie in quite big letters using iron on vinyl (not that I've said anything - just was silently slightly annoyed at someone faffing about with something that doesn't belong to them). Get them to tuck the bow ends back into their socks for the day and please don't wear them again - much more sensible initial solution.

Haven’t DM’s always been banned? We couldn’t wear them in the 90s.

Would school compromise on DM’s like these?

https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/1461-mono-smooth-leather-oxford-shoes-black/p/14345001