Parents at North Liverpool Academy in Anfield have reported that their children were placed in isolation for wearing PE kits amid extreme heat. On Wednesday, June 24, temperatures in the region soared to 28°C, prompting some parents to allow their children to swap the usual collared shirts, blazers, and trousers for school-issued PE kits. However, within minutes of the school day starting, parents received calls informing them that their children had been isolated.
School's Temporary Uniform Policy
A Northern Schools Academy spokesman stated that the school's priority is student health and safety. They implemented a temporary reduced uniform policy, communicated to parents on Sunday evening. The policy allowed students to remove blazers after entering school and permitted extra water bottles. However, a small group of students arrived in full PE kits, which the school deemed non-compliant.
Michael Smith, whose 14-year-old son is a Year 9 pupil, 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. A couple of the kids must have spoken to their parents, and that led to about five or six of them coming in with their PE kits. 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."
Parental Concerns and School Response
Smith collected his son from school, along with other parents. He criticized the school's measures, noting that the usual uniform includes a blazer, and the only concession was allowing students to remove blazers after entering. He argued that with temperatures forecast to reach 35°C, more leniency is needed. "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," he said.
Another parent, Mark Hodgson, said both his sons were isolated despite one being sent home due to heat-related sickness the previous day. "Yesterday 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. Hodgson highlighted Department of Education guidance that suggests relaxing uniform rules during hot weather and ensuring children wear loose, light-coloured clothing. He added: "The whole of the nation seems to be allowing their children to wear their PE kits. This feels like they're making an example of pupils rather than supporting them."
School's Decision to Close
In response, the school spokesman 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... Allegations regarding a lack of support or adaptations are inaccurate. The school introduced numerous comfort measures, including adjustments to the timetable and class allocation, making additional water available throughout the day, allowing personal fans, and, as mentioned before, a reduced uniform policy."
The spokesman added that students who wore full PE kits were "temporarily separated from the main student body in our fully air-conditioned room until the correct uniform could be provided." Following a further assessment, the school closed to students on Thursday, June 25, as temperatures were predicted to reach 30°C.
