A Mother’s Plea for Flexibility in School Uniform Policies During Heatwaves
A mother from Herne Bay has raised concerns about the impact of strict school uniform policies during periods of extreme heat. Kayleigh Skinner, whose 12-year-old son Logan suffered from heat exhaustion at Herne Bay High School, believes that requiring students to wear trousers and blazers in temperatures reaching 32 degrees is “inhumane.”
Logan was sent home on what was the hottest day of the year so far after feeling dizzy and unwell. The incident has sparked a growing campaign by Mrs Skinner for the school to adopt more flexible rules during heatwaves. She argues that the school should follow the example of nearby Whitstable School, which allowed students to wear their PE kits during a recent amber heat-health alert.
However, Herne Bay High School has stated it has no plans to change its policy. The school claims it already has measures in place to manage hot weather, including air conditioning in only 25% of classrooms. Despite this, Mrs Skinner insists that common sense should be applied to ensure student comfort and wellbeing.
A Growing Concern for Student Comfort
Mrs Skinner, who lives in Kings Road and works as an RNLI volunteer, described the experience of collecting her son from school. She said there were around a dozen children waiting to go home, many of whom appeared uncomfortable.
Logan was dressed in a shirt, trousers, a blazer, and a tie, which Mrs Skinner says made him feel extremely hot and distressed. She highlighted that the school’s uniform policy requires students to wear either a skirt or trousers, a blazer, a shirt with the top button fastened, and a tie. While blazers are not required on formal occasions, she claims that students are often told to wear them in assemblies.
Last Monday, Logan was allowed to wear shorts after Mrs Skinner emailed the school about his discomfort. However, the following day, when temperatures reached their peak, he was instructed to wear trousers again after other pupils also arrived in shorts. This led to Mrs Skinner launching a petition calling for a relaxation of the uniform policy during heatwaves.
Support from Parents and a Heat-Health Alert
The petition has gained significant support from hundreds of parents ahead of a six-day heat-health alert across Kent. Mrs Skinner expressed frustration that while staff members were seen wearing summer dresses, students were forced to wear thick black trousers and blazers.
She argued that the school prioritizes policies over student comfort, which she believes hinders learning. “When they’re too hot, they’re not going to want to learn,” she said.
Mrs Skinner also mentioned that her two younger children at Herne Bay Juniors have been wearing shorts and t-shirts for the past two months. She suggests that allowing high school students to wear their PE kits during hot weather would be a practical solution.
“PE kits are already part of the uniform, and it’s not an extra expense for parents,” she explained. “Allowing students to wear them for a few weeks a year wouldn’t cause any harm.”
School’s Response to the Concerns
In response, a spokesperson for Herne Bay High School said the uniform policy is based on “practical and inclusive factors.” They confirmed that white cotton shirts, which are part of the standard uniform, are light and breathable. The school encourages students to remove their blazers when indoors or outside in warm conditions.
They added that students are asked to bring blazers to school to prepare for changing weather or formal occasions, but there is no expectation to wear them when it is hot. Free water refill stations and additional access to drinks in the canteen are available.
To prepare for heatwaves, the school adjusts its air-handling system at night and has distributed over 70 mechanical fans to classrooms. However, full-site air conditioning is not currently viable due to cost and environmental considerations.
A Call for Change
Despite the school’s assurances, Mrs Skinner remains unconvinced. She believes that small changes to the uniform policy could make a significant difference in student comfort and focus. As the heatwave continues, her campaign highlights the ongoing debate between maintaining traditional policies and adapting to modern challenges.
