Anger as students sent home for wearing PE kits during sweltering 30C heatwave
Some students have spoken of their anger after being sent home from school because they were wearing PE kits during the recent heatwave, they claim.
A number of male students at Barlow RC High School in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, claim they felt like they were "suffocating" after being forced to wear black trousers during extremely warm weather.
Finley Kelly, 15, from Burnage said he and a group of other boys decided to attend school in their PE shorts and tops so they could feel cooler - as girls attending the school had already been given permission to wear skirts without tights.
But after arriving at school in their sportswear, the group were told to change into spare school uniform or go home and get changed - which they did, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Pupils at Barlow RC High School in Didsbury were told they needed to change in their uniforms (Google)The move has prompted anger amongst some students, who say the current uniform rules in place are unfair for boys during the warmer summer months.
Nursery apologises after child with Down's syndrome ‘treated less favourably’
Headteacher Claire Wallace said current school policy means only a red weather warning for heat would prompt them to allow students to wear PE kits - but said they are open to consulting with parents, pupils, and governors about the issue.
Finley said: "The uniform for boys is strictly pants, tie, shirt which is strictly not allowed to be untucked or it will result in a detention. Top button must be done at all times.
"Me and my friends had had enough and decided we would go into school with our PE kits due to the intense heat peaking at 31 degrees as it was getting to the point where you couldn’t catch your breath wearing the full uniform.
"Prior to that, girls were told they could come in with skirts without tights on and socks, so we thought they would be fine with PE kits."
But Finley claims when they entered the school gates they were told to step aside and wait for a member of staff to speak to them.
"The head of behaviour told us not to take matters into our own hands and wait until the head teacher decides to instruct a temporary dress code," he said.
"We were sent home and told to change into normal school uniform. They didn't care what we had to say about the matter. It left some students asking 'where is the equality for boys?'"
Finley is now calling for the school to look at changing its uniform policy as he warned temperatures are likely to continue to rise due to climate change.
Claire Wallace, headteacher at The Barlow RC High School, said: "A handful of pupils came into school last week in their PE kits which is something we allowed for a short spell during last year's period of extreme red weather warnings.
"We gave them the option of changing into spare school uniform or going home and getting changed which they all complied with.
Striking teacher forced to take a second job to pay bills ahead of mass walkout
"The absence of any red weather warnings so far this year means that we haven't yet this term had to put the same policy in place, however, because of the heat last week no pupils had to wear blazers or jumpers and we made sure everyone knew this.
"Girls already have the option of wearing short socks instead of tights in half term six and we've now had a request from a few pupils for boys to be allowed to wear shorts in the warm weather.
"This isn't something that has been raised before but we're happy to move forwards after consulting with parents, other pupils and school governors."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
