Parents have claimed pupils at a Northumberland secondary school were suspended or placed in isolation for wearing shorts during the recent heatwave – allegations the school has strongly denied.
Haydon Bridge High School (HBHS) insisted that no pupil had been suspended or excluded because of their uniform, describing suggestions they had been excluded for wearing shorts as “factually incorrect”.
Some parents claimed their children had been disciplined after going into school in shorts during the hot weather.
HBHS's stance has been branded a "disgrace" by one parent, who said their son was "put in isolation for wearing shorts", while noting the Met Office's red weather warning in parts of the south.
Another parent alleged their child was "suspended" for "being rude" after going into school in shorts, while their daughter was also "put in isolation" for wearing shorts.
A third parent claimed that the school was "making the students wear full uniform, long trousers and school jumpers" during the UK's hot weather spell.
They also claimed the school had “suspended some of the children” for wearing shorts instead of black trousers.
"We have tried and tried and tried to request that our children could wear something cooler in this heatwave," they said.
Haydon Bridge High School has refuted the claims, saying it takes the "welfare of all students very seriously" and has "made appropriate adjustments to its uniform expectations during the recent period of hot weather."
Richard O'Connor, Headteacher of Haydon Bridge High School, said: "On Tuesday (June 23), clear communication was sent to all parents and carers outlining the temporary adaptations to the school's uniform requirements to help students remain comfortable whilst maintaining appropriate standards of dress, as well as the additional factors we would be considering to support students to stay hydrated and cool.
"These expectations were also communicated directly to students throughout the school day to ensure there was no ambiguity.
“We would like to clarify that no student has been suspended or excluded as a consequence of their uniform. Any suggestion that students have been excluded for wearing shorts is factually incorrect."
The school said that while a very small number of pupils were supervised away from the main student body after not following temporary uniform expectations, none were suspended or excluded as a result of their clothing.
"A very small number of students chose not to follow the temporary uniform expectations that had been communicated. In these instances, students were supervised by members of the Senior Leadership Team and continued to complete their normal curriculum lessons away from the main student body.
"This was a supportive measure to ensure learning continued whilst the matter was resolved.
"The school has continued to monitor students closely throughout the hot weather and has implemented a range of measures to support their wellbeing. As always, student safety and welfare remain our highest priority," he said.
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