UK schools introduce new uniform rule for pupils this week – starts Monday | UK | News

Schools across the UK are introducing a major uniform rule change this week. Due to this week’s heat wave, some schools are relaxing uniform rules. This comes after the Met Office issued a Red Extreme Heat Warning on Wednesday and Thursday, with its all-time daily record temperature forecast for June set to be broken.

There are also multiple Amber Extreme Heat Warnings in place covering south and central England and much of Wales from Monday until the end of Thursday. Falkland Primary School in Newbury has told families that from Monday pupils will be allowed to attend classes wearing PE kits rather than full school uniform.

In a social media post, the school wrote: “With exceptionally high temperatures expected, we welcome children to attend school with PE kits this week (closed toe shoes should still be worn for health and safety reasons). We are currently awaiting advice from West Berkshire on possible early closures if temperature forecasts rise above 35.”

Sheldon School in Chippenham, Wiltshire, is also allowing pupils to wear a full PE kit or school uniform without a tie or jumper from Monday. BirminghamLive reports.

Another school to relax uniform rules was Aldersley High School in Wolverhampton, which told parents last weekend: “Due to the warm weather expected next week, we are relaxing our uniform rules to ensure pupils are comfortable. Next week pupils can either wear uniform without the blazer and tie or wear the official school PE kit, including coaches.”

Government guidance for schools and other educational settings during hot weather and heatwaves states: “Schools may consider relaxing uniform rules during hot weather to ensure pupils are comfortable.

“Children should wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and wide-brimmed sun hats to help keep them cool. Encourage children to stay in the shade as much as possible when outdoors.”

“To protect the skin, sun creams with a high sun protection factor should be used.

“Teachers should also encourage children to take off their blazers and sweaters.”

Some schools are also adjusting their class schedules by closing the school day earlier this week in response to extreme heat.

In Wiltshire, Kingdown School, Clarendon Academy, Pewsey Vale School and Dilton Marsh Primary are among those to say classes will finish at 12.30pm. BBC reports.

Kingsholm Primary School in Gloucester will close at 1.30pm each day until Thursday. The school also said students will be able to attend classes wearing physical education kit rather than full uniform to help them stay cooler in hot weather.

The Met Office has confirmed that the rare red extreme heat warning will come into force at 9am on Wednesday and will remain in force until 9pm on Thursday, covering large parts of England and Wales.

The warning area extends from London to parts of the South West, including Somerset and Swansea, and northwards to Birmingham as prolonged intense heat grips England.

Temperatures could rise to around 40°C in London on Wednesday, raising the possibility of Britain’s June temperature record being broken, the Met Office said.

The current highest June temperature on record was 35.6 degrees recorded in Southampton in 1976 and previously recorded in Camden Square in 1957.