Girls rebel over school uniform as temperatures rise

Hundreds of girls have launched a rebellion against a school rule that tights must be worn at all times – as pupils sweltered in the mini-heatwave.
Carr Hill High School, KirkhamCarr Hill High School, Kirkham
Carr Hill High School, Kirkham

Pupils from Carr Hill High School, Kirkham, have set up an online petition which has already seen hundreds of signatures, pleading with school bosses to relax a strict uniform policy for girls to wear tights at all times.

Children have claimed to suffer heat rashes in reaction to the high temperatures while parents have queried the sense of keeping girls in regulation black tights on such a hot day.

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But school chiefs say they cannot change the uniform policy overnight – and suggested pupils wear trousers instead.

Temperatures soared upwards of 30 degrees earlier this week on the Fylde.

The petition, first published on Tuesday and gathering more than 660 signatures, reads: “Temperatures are around 30 degrees. Black tights absorb all this heat and it actually hurts to be in the sun.

“Lots of students have complained about the uniform although no one seems to be doing much about it.

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“This petition is the start of possibly having our uniform changed in hot temperatures.​“

Pupils have said they plan to take the petition to the schools board of governors.​

School leaders have said they are aware of the petition but have stressed that the uniform policy at the school, on Royal Avenue, has been in place for six years without difficulties and that policies cannot be changed overnight.

Headteacher Andrew Waller said: “​As a school we have very high standards of uniform of which the school community is rightly proud and we want to maintain this.

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“Visitors frequently comment on the pride students take in their appearance.

“We are aware that some female students have expressed concern regarding the wearing of tights (which are part of the uniform for students who wish to wear a skirt).

​“​These students do have the option of wearing trousers and socks if preferred.​“​

Pupils were encouraged to drink plenty of water, use sun cream, wear hats and can take their blazers off if need be.

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Girls also have the option of wearing black trousers, instead of a skirt and black tights.​

A mother, whose daughter complained of the heat in black tights, said: “When she came home from school she said she felt sick from the heat.

“I understand the school wants to keep a professional image but when it’s so hot, in exceptional circumstances, it does seem ridiculous and I’m sure most parents would agree.”

One pupil wrote on the petition: “In maths class a few weeks ago I [went] to class, when the temperature was in mid 20s, without my blazer on as we were going into a computer room it was going to very warm in that class.

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“I was punished for this by being denied permission to take my blazer off in a room full of computers and little air-con. As a result of this I received rashes from the itching sweat had caused. It can not be argued that wearing more clothes in this heat is unhygienic and uncomfortable.”

School bosses have said it would be inappropriate to comment on individual allegations.

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