Pupils at Redhill Academy in Arnold have been made to wear blazers in scorching temperatures, according to some parents. A parent post on the Arnold Community Group Facebook page claimed their child had been made to sit in class wearing a blazer in hot weather and that requests to get water were denied. It was also claimed that when a fellow student offered some water, the student was reprimanded and sent to another class.
Tens of parents have since commented on the post saying their child has experienced similar problems. A small number of parents did comment to say their child was allowed to take off their blazer when asking a teacher for permission to do so.
The parents who say their children have been affected are calling on students to be allowed to take off their blazers when it's hot. Some went so far as to question if blazers are necessary as part of the school uniform at all.
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The creator of the Facebook post claims some cases are "absolutely shocking". Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, she said: "From what I can gather, Redhill tends to be more strict on uniform, and some parents are with me in finding the rules are ridiculous and unreasonable. My child has said there have been a number of cases where children have asked teachers to take their blazer off and have not been allowed to, and other parents have been saying similar things.
"I feel as though appearance is more concerned about than wellbeing, I do not feel as though a blazer is a necessary part of the uniform. Every child should have a uniform, as it eliminates who has got what, but if you're in class and working, that should be taken into account.
"I understand children can sometimes bend things to suit a narrative, and some things you take with a pinch of salt, but when that many parents have come forward, the children can't all be telling tales to that degree."
Another mother says her son has come home saying about how hot he has been wearing the blazer, and she subsequently gave him a note to explain why he wouldn't be wearing his blazer this week. But she says her Year Seven student has told her he is allowed to take it off when in class.
Katie Barwick, 38, a children's nurse who works at the Queen's Medical Centre from Arnold, said: "My son's not really a complainer, but even he said to me he's been really hot wearing his blazer outside. He has said he's been allowed to take it off in class but has to wear it in between classes.
"As a children's nurse, it worries me that kids compensate far more than adults do, and they wouldn't say they are struggling until they feel sick. I don't see why a blazer must be worn at all times, as the uniform has an emblem on the trousers and there is a tie, it just seems a bit bizarre.
"If my kid has done anything wrong, they have to deal with the consequences, but I don't feel this is one of those times. For me, there is no academic benefit to it, it makes no sense."
Redhill Academy was contacted for comment.
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