North Liverpool Academy isolated a group of pupils for wearing PE kits during extreme heat, prompting furious parents to claim their children were unfairly punished. Temperatures in the Anfield area reached 28°C on June 24, leading several parents to allow their children to swap their usual collared shirts, blazers, and trousers for school-issued PE kits.
Isolation After Five Minutes
Parents reported receiving calls from the school shortly after 9am, informing them that their children had been placed in isolation. Michael Smith, whose 14-year-old son is in Year 9, said: "My son came home from school yesterday all hot and bothered, and my wife had already decided to send him in his PE kit today. He was in for literally about five minutes. We had a call saying he's come in his PE kit. I said I know, we let him. They said that's not allowed, and he's going to spend the rest of the day in isolation."
Smith, 39, from Norris Green, collected his son from the school along with other parents. He criticized the school's response, noting that the amber weather warning predicted "population-wide adverse health effects" and potential serious illness. The usual uniform includes shirt, tie, trousers, shoes, and blazer. The school said it had relaxed rules, requiring only the blazer to be worn on entry, but Smith argued this was insufficient.
School Defends Temporary Policy
A Northern Schools Academy spokesperson said: "The health and safety of our students is our absolute priority. In response to the extreme weather, North Liverpool Academy proactively implemented a temporary reduced uniform policy, which was clearly communicated to all parents and carers on Sunday evening and followed by the vast majority of our students." The school stated that a "small group of students chose not to comply with the temporary policy by arriving in full PE kits instead of the permitted reduced uniform."
Another father, Mark Hodgson, 39, from Anfield, said both his sons were isolated despite one being sent home due to heat-induced illness the previous day. "(On Tuesday) my son was sent home after being physically sick in the classroom due to the heat. North Liverpool Academy is like a glasshouse," he said. He highlighted Department for Education guidance stating schools should consider relaxing uniform rules during hot weather to ensure pupils are comfortable, recommending loose, light-coloured clothing.
School Closes Amid Rising Temperatures
The school announced it would close on June 25 as temperatures were expected to hit 30°C. The spokesperson added: "Following a further assessment of the extreme heat today, the senior leadership team has made the decision to close the school to students today to ensure the ongoing welfare of our school community." The school also introduced measures including adjustments to the timetable, additional water availability, and allowing personal fans. Isolated pupils were placed in a fully air-conditioned room until correct uniform could be provided.
Smith expressed frustration: "The school isn't fully air conditioned. The new building is air conditioned, but my son doesn't spend a lot of time in that part of the school. I understand rules are in place, but I think that an extra bottle of water being as far as they're willing to go to make the kids more comfortable is a bit of a joke."
