Our children are punished for wearing the wrong uniform in warm weather – but that’s not our fault
PARENTS claim boys at a school have been fined for wearing the wrong shorts during the recent hot spell.
One student said he suffered from heat exhaustion after being placed in “isolation” for a day because he was wearing the wrong shorts.
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Now some parents at Cwmtawe Community School, near Swansea in Wales, have accused the school of forcing boys to wear ‘tailored’ shorts, which some families cannot afford to buy.
A spokesman for the school said the uniform requirements would be clearly communicated to parents and that there would be an inexpensive shorts option.
There is also support to help families in the livelihood crisis, the spokesman added.
Craig Battenbough, 33, from Rhyd-y-fro, said his son wore a skirt for a week in protest of the “strict” uniform policy.
Speak with Wales Online He claimed that when he picked up his son Cellan from school, he told his father that he hadn’t been there
allowed to leave the room all day.
Craig claimed his son was drenched in sweat and appeared to be suffering from heat exhaustion.
He said: “During the extreme heat we have been experiencing in recent weeks, the Cwmtawe school has placed the boys in isolation rooms with no air conditioning.”
“It’s all because the school doesn’t allow our kids to just wear black shorts instead of the tailored shorts that some parents can’t afford or find in stores,”
Craig claimed that the school appeared to have a looser policy toward girls.
He said: “You will find that the girls can wear extremely short skirts, which is not in line with the school uniform policy, but the boys will be punished.”
“We are asking that schools be less strict about school uniforms and extreme temperatures so that our children are cooler and more comfortable.”
Hannah Fletcher, 32, claimed it’s unfair to expect parents to spend more money on tailored shorts a few weeks before the end of term.
“My son needs a specific brand that doesn’t come cheap due to sensory issues with closures and these would cost me £30 a pair when there’s no guarantee the weather stays hot,” she said.
A Cwmtawe Community School spokesman said: “Our school uniform requirements are clearly communicated to all parents/carers and are available on our website.”
“Several years ago we consulted with parents/carers and students and introduced a shorts option for the summer months.
“These are standard, inexpensive uniform items that can be found in most supermarkets for around £4 a pair.
“Parents also liked the idea that they could easily convert the pants their child had outgrown into shorts.
“In May this year we wrote to all parents/carers to remind them of the shorts option before the new warm weather set in.
“We have a range of support measures in place to help families with their living expenses. In addition to the Welsh Government’s School Essentials Grant, which is available to all eligible households, we also have a Pupil Welfare and Support Fund.”
“Any parent/carer experiencing financial difficulties with the uniform should contact us in confidence and we will do our best to assist.”