A mum has called out her daughter's school, claiming an 'outrageous' blazer policy forces pupils to wear them in sweltering heat.
The mum, who wishes to remain anonymous, claimed her child returned from Sale High School, Manchester, 'dripping in sweat' and feeling ill - after not being been allowed to take her blazer off all day.
The schoolgirl told her mum that only a few teachers allow kids to remove them in class, with others stating its school policy to wear them at all times, Manchester Evening News reports.
The parent has called for schools to drop the draconian rule and consider the risks to children.
She said: "As a health worker myself I think it's disappointing that schools aren't taking the children's health seriously.
"I think it's outrageous that children across the UK are having to wear blazers in schools with temperatures expected to reach highs of 27 degrees.
"My daughter came home dripping in sweat, dizzy and feeling sick, only for me to learn she's not allowed to take a blazer off in and around school grounds, and to add to this only a selection of teachers allow it in the classroom."
She added: "I understand the school policy and I agree uniform is uniform, but for the children's safety there's ways of going around this.
"I feel if UK weather reaches higher then 25 degrees and no aircon is provided, I think blazers should be optional. I also feel small changes like PE kit would be a lot better and cooler.
"To learn even the teachers are wearing summer clothes while children are sat in blazers and some in trousers as well for six hours plus is beyond outrageous."
After taking it up with the school, along with other parents, she says pupils were told on Thursday that they could take them off.
But she wants the policy changing at Sale High and other schools to avoid similar scenarios in the future.
"Children are in school risking their health and education for a dress code," she said. "Yet if you pulled your child out you would be fined.
"I strongly believe the health education should put this into consideration, not just for high schools, but for primaries and nurseries as well.
"They have finally agreed that blazers can be taken off, however I feel this shouldn't just be a one-off, it should be a set policy across all school settings.
"If temperature get above 25 degrees, students shouldn't have to ask to take a blazer off if they're too hot, this should be a child's personal opinion and own judgement - a child shouldn't be forced to wear a blazer or risk detection or being told off.
"I agree in the UK we don't have heat like this regularly, but when we do it can hit high heats. This is something that needs addressing and brought to attention in all education sectors."
Sale High's uniform policy states: "We believe the wearing of uniform helps to create a sense of community and equality amongst students, whilst establishing school as a working environment.
"In a large school it is also of considerable benefit for security reasons that students should wear uniform.
"A uniform removes the distraction which may be caused by an individual’s style of dress and allow students to concentrate on learning."
In its list of uniform items parents are expected to buy, it states: "Navy school blazer with Sale High School badge (compulsory item to be worn at all time)."
A Sale High spokesperson said: "Students at Sale High are always well looked after and there are no restrictions on removing blazers in hot weather.
"Students all have the option of wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts."
