The High School "Wearing Sweatshirts At All Times Until Easter" Rule

gardenia101

I had a not in my DD planner yesterday saying she "must wear her school sweatshirt at all times from now until Easter". As I work in the same school I was collared by her tutor & told the same thing.

When I queried it (as I can't find it written in the rules anywhere) I was told it was because the pupils look tidier with full uniform on . They have to wear them when walking around school, & then have to ask each teacher if they can take them off when they are hot, & the teacher can then decide.

I cant help feeling it is all a bit bonkers - this applies up to Y11 (Y12 & 13 wear their own clothes but that is a whole other thread :rotfl:). Surely children can decide for themselves if they are too hot? My DD runs hot - her shirt is often damp under her sweatshirt & I feel for her being so uncomfortable when tying to study.

Is this a common rule at other high schools?

peachyprice

We have a blazers on rule at DD's school, they're allowed to take them off during lessons but have to put them back on whilst walking around school, which I understand, blazers look smart. But as sweatshirts are never going to look smart it seems a bit pointless really.

Shelldean

we've got the blazers rule too, and they must wear a school coat if they wear a coat.
Jumpers are not a compulsory part of the uniform, so it's up to each boy.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Crazy jumped up head teachers! They need to pick their fights.

Kids need to be taught how to make decisions for themselves like if they are cold, put extra clothes on and if hot, take extra clothes off...it's not rocket science.

Spendless

Son's Secondary doesn't have a blazer. Their uniform with shirt and tie is a black v-neck jumper, which has to be one of the last things I'd put on on a hot day! They don't have a date in the calendar where it isn't compulsory, unless they are told they can take it off it stays on!

I queried this with school's HT when son moved up to yr 7 and his reasoning was 'that they'd all start with a fashion parade with hoodies and jackets etc if he allowed them to remove their jumpers'. Don't personally agree. He has now retired and a new HT started this month so will have to see what her rules become.

emweaver

This is common, it was in place when I was in secondary school and I left 13 years ago (scary).

The teachers never refused to let us take off our sweatshirts though.

lushlifesaver

When I was in secondary school we had to wear black v neck jumpers when walking around the school unless we were told otherwise, blazers were optional and you could have any coat you wanted but you could be pulled up for not looking smart enough walking around the school and had to ensure things were carried smartly too.

I remember when I was in air cadets we had to wait for 'short sleeve orders' even on baking hot days when we'd all be told to remove our jumpers and roll our sleeves up correctly! Maybe its a roll over from a military approach to uniform? My second secondary school was far more informal - any black bottoms you liked, white or school blue polo shirt and a blue/school jumper. I could never fathom not wearing a proper blouse/shirt and tie to school at that one though.

I like the look of a 'proper' uniform worn well

balletshoes

We dont have school sweatshirts, its blazers here. they must be worn all year round while walking around the school and they can only be removed in class if the teacher says so.

from the sounds of things this isnt an unusual rule for secondary school.

megela

My DD has to keep her blazer on as well until told not to (usually summer term), but last summer term with a new head the order never came and they had to wear blazers right through! They can take them off in class but must wear them in/out and around school.

Think it must be pretty standard now.

embob74

At DD's school they have to wear blazers at all times but jumpers are optional.
I've never really thought about it but there could potentially be a lot of overheating children as spring comes in.
Just another reason I think school uniforms have become a farce.
Seems more of an opportunity for schools for school staff to be dictatorial IMO. I'd prefer a teacher to be more obsessed with a child's welfare/wellbeing and their education but I guess that's too much to ask!

tooldle

My school also had this rule. Jumpers did not come off, until the head said they could. It was always explained as preparation for working life. Many people wear a uniform for work, and cannot choose which bits of the uniform to wear and when to wear it.