Mother’s fury after her daughter misses mock exams after being sent home from school ‘for not wearing tights during heatwave’
A 15-year-old girl is said to have been sent home from school on the hottest June day ever because she wasn’t wearing tights and was seen missing her mock exams.
His mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said the teenager was furious when she was told to leave the Co-operative Academy in Blackley early.
She came to school wearing a skirt and socks, but preferred to wear tights due to the rising temperatures.
However, the teachers told those wearing skirts that it was ‘compulsory’ for them to wear tights and sent her home.
As a result, the student had to miss his French mock exam, his mother said.
Senior staff told girls to wear trousers rather than relaxing the policy during scorching heat as other Co-operative schools have done.
The mother, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that her daughter was wearing a skirt, shorts underneath and ankle socks instead of tights.
He said: ‘He wasn’t at school for more than 15 minutes so he missed his mock French exam.
The girl’s mother shared a photo showing what her daughter was made to wear to school during the heatwave.
Co-op Academy in Blackley sent teenager home after insisting tights were an essential part of the uniform
‘Other Co-op academies allow PE kits, but when I asked why they didn’t they said it was policy and not wise.
‘We live at the far end of Oldham so my daughter travels over an hour and a half to get to school.’
The mother stated that she contacted the school and said that her daughter would now only attend her exams and then come home immediately.
The 34-year-old actor said, “He has a food exam today, but he got permission from me to come home directly after the exam.”
‘She puts on her tights and takes them off after the exam. I don’t think it’s safe for him to stay there for more than an hour. ‘He’s had heatstroke in the past, so I try to avoid that.’
In a weather update titled ‘Temporary changes to uniform’, the school told parents: ‘Due to the heatwave we are making changes to the uniform this week. Students do not need to wear blazers or ties to the academy for the rest of the week. They should leave them at home until further notice. Students who normally wear skirts and tights are encouraged to wear school trousers, if available.
An Amber weather warning has been issued for Greater Manchester due to extreme heat until 11.59pm on Thursday.
Temperatures will reach 33 degrees tomorrow and Friday before cooling down over the weekend.
Elsewhere in the country, more than 1,000 schools have closed their doors, fearing the negative impact of the heat.
From September, girls in all Co-op Academies Trust secondary schools will be required to wear trousers rather than skirts, as all pupils will be introduced to a single school uniform.
The move will affect Co-op Academy Walkden, Co-op Academy Swinton, Co-op Academy North Manchester, Co-op Academy Manchester, Co-op Academy Failsworth and Co-op Academy Belle Vue.
While some parents welcome the move, others are not happy and say it is taking away their daughters’ rights.
A spokesperson for Co-op Academy Manchester said: ‘In response to high temperatures we have made temporary uniform arrangements this week, including allowing pupils to attend school without a blazer, jumper or tie.
‘As part of this guidance, students who normally wear skirts and tights have been encouraged to wear school trousers if available, which will help students stay comfortable in the exceptionally hot weather.
‘Our priority is always to maintain a safe, consistent and purposeful learning environment whilst supporting student wellbeing. Uniform expectations are clearly communicated to families, and if questions or concerns arise we work directly with parents and carers to provide support and find an appropriate solution.’
