SOME parents of students attending Churchill Academy & Sixth Form have questioned why pupils have had to wear full school uniform despite the hot weather this week.

The academy, based in Churchill, has said that it has "clear and consistent" expectations of uniform. Staff monitored the weather forecast at the start of term and decided not to adjust these expectations.

However, some parents have questioned why their children weren't allowed to wear their cooler PE kit to school.

Reaching out to the Weston Mercury earlier in the week, one parent said: "Myself and other parents are very upset that Churchill Academy & Sixth Form would rather the children come in full uniform just to make sure they are wearing the correct uniform and let them all suffer in the weather.

"We have had 29 to 30° heat this week and many parents have asked if the children can go back to school wearing their PE shorts and PE tops due to the heat, some classrooms do not have air-conditioning.

"We feel this is wrong and again it all comes down to again punishment for children not wearing the uniform."

Mr C Hildrew, headteacher at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form, said: "We are delighted to welcome students back for the new school year at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form this week and see some sunshine after a wet summer.

"The academy follows guidance and protocols and has clear and consistent expectations of uniform, which are clearly published on our website."

The academy's website reads: "We expect all students to be smartly dressed and appropriately equipped for school."

Mr Hildrew added: "We closely monitored the weather forecast and along with the regulations, made an informed decision not to adjust our uniform for the start of term. 

"Despite the warmer weather, the working temperature across the site this week has been reasonable, especially as the majority of rooms now benefit from air conditioning units - many of which are powered by low-carbon technologies.

"We also provided water stations around the site to ensure students could remain hydrated.

"Student welfare is a high priority and we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the quality of their education is not compromised."