The school says pupils can remove blazers in class, but they must wear tights with skirts, or swap to trousers
06:19, 13 May 2025Updated 13:42, 13 May 2025
Denton Community Academy(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A mum has hit out at her daughter’s school saying the uniform policy led to her fainting because she was too warm.
Debbi Kinder says her 12-year-old daughter began feeling unwell at Denton Community Academy in Tameside where she was wearing a blazer and tights, as socks are not allowed.
She told her mum she was not allowed to remove her blazer and had told four teachers she felt lightheaded before the incident.
Northern Education Trust (NET), which runs the school, says pupils are allowed to take their blazers off in class and that during warmer weather, it takes ‘sensible steps to keep students comfortable, including reviewing uniform expectations and ensuring access to shade and drinking water’.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Debbi told the Manchester Evening News: “My daughter had gone to four lessons and in each lesson she told the teacher she felt dizzy and asked could she take her blazer off. She was told ‘no’, she would be fine.
“The fourth teacher sent her to first aid who checked her over and sent her back to class. As she was walking to class she fainted and was caught by one of the canteen staff.
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“I received a phone call from her dad to tell me what had happened and that they had tried contacting me but couldn’t get through.
“When I arrived at school, she was sat in reception with the first aider with an ice pack and a drink. She was extremely pale and could hardly stand.
“I told the school that she would not be attending school while the weather is this hot until they change the uniform policy.”
Debbi says she’s since spoken to a member of staff at the school and her daughter is attending, but she is unhappy that girls are being forced to wear tights or trousers.
A spokesperson for the Trust, which the Taylor Lane school officially became part of in January, said: “We are aware of an incident in which a student felt dizzy while in the lunch area and was quickly supported by staff. Appropriate first aid and reassurance were provided, and no further action was necessary.
“During warmer weather, we take sensible steps to keep students comfortable, including reviewing uniform expectations and ensuring access to shade and drinking water. Students are permitted to remove their blazers in classrooms at all times and in line with our uniform policy, students can choose to wear trousers rather than skirts with tights, should they prefer during warmer periods.
Denton Community Academy(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“We always welcome working directly with parents and carers, and would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to us so we can address them promptly and constructively.”
Formerly known as Denton Community College, NET first began supporting the school in September 2023 after it was placed in Special Measures by Ofsted.
Since converting to an academy, it has made huge progress, with its best-ever examination results, placing it among the most improved schools in England.
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