But Miss, it’s boiling! Parents’ outrage as school hands dozens of pupils detention for wearing shorts to class during the summer heatwave
- Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen in Bridgend have since sent a letter out to parents
Parents have been outraged after a number of children were placed in detention for wearing shorts to school this week amid the mini-heatwave.
Pupils at Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen in Tondu, Bridgend, Wales, were allegedly told they must wear their usual uniforms, including skirts with tights for girls, as temperatures rose into the late twenties.
One mother claimed up to 30 year 8 students were placed in detention on Tuesday and Wednesday – as well as dozens in other year groups.
Another described the situation as ‘chaos,’ saying: ‘It is absolutely boiling this week. So many children are in isolation today that they have had to put them in an additional classroom.
‘Wearing shorts does not affect their education, but trying to work when you are too hot does.’
A parent with two children at the school told Wales Online: ‘They gathered every child in shorts and put them all in one room for the day. When we rang we were told it was up to the head and there had been no hot weather warnings, but it was 28C on Tuesday and my daughter was expected to wear tights with her skirt.’
Following a number of complaints, a letter was sent out on Wednesday explaining the reasoning behind the rules – and announcing the decision to allow pupils to wear certain types of shorts for the rest of this week.
Pupils at Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen in Tondu, Bridgend, Wales, were allegedly told they must wear their usual uniforms earlier this week amid the heat
The school has since sent out a letter with these images of shorts NOT allowed
The school now says these types of shorts are acceptable – they must be knee length
It says that the school intends to hold a consultation to look at adopting a summer uniform for summer 2024.
The letter, posted publicly on the school’s website, reads: ‘The reason we have not allowed shorts is due to the minority of learners who have worn inappropriate clothing/shorts to school. These are known as micro shorts/Nike Pros which are completely unacceptable for school attire.
‘These will never be accepted and we will place learners who wear these into our internal exclusion unit until parents/carers bring appropriate clothing for them.
‘The decision has been made to allow all learners to wear black shorts for the rest of this week and this includes CCYD badged PE shorts. However, there can be no denim shorts, micro shorts or short cycling shorts and they must be appropriate for school environment.’
The letter says the school intends to hold a consultation to look into adopting a summer uniform from next year
The letter, dated June 14, reassured parents the temperature was not high inside the school building. It described conditions inside as ‘cool’ and said windows are left open and texts have been sent to advise parents to make sure students drink plenty of water, use suncream and stay in the shade during breaks.
The letter ends: ‘So from tomorrow, just to recap plain black knee length shorts can be worn until the weather forecast changes. However, black shoes/trainers must still be worn.
Any learners wearing inappropriate shorts or incorrect footwear will be challenged and parent/carers will be informed immediately.’
A spokesperson for Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen told Wales Online: ‘It’s really important that learners comply with our school uniform policy so we can reduce the risk of some potentially serious safeguarding issues arising.’
The school refused to comment when contacted by the MailOnline.
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