Schoolgirls were excluded from classes for taking their black tights off on what was the hottest day of the year.

Four pupils from the Francis Combe Academy in Horseshoe Lane were removed from their classes on Monday for removing their hosiery as temperatures reached 32 degrees.

Year 9 students Maddie Green, Kiera Leigh Gearing, Maddy Sahnow and Ella Phillips were reportedly forced out of lessons for refusing to wear the extra layer in the hot weather.

At the beginning of the week, the school relaxed its policy on wearing school blazers, but concessions were not extended to other garments.

Since the issue occurred, the uniform policy has made allowances in the extreme conditions, so that girls do not have to wear tights and boys do not have to wear ties in the hot weather.

Parents were outraged that the school took this action earlier in the week.

Keira Leigh’s mother Emily Jones said: “I felt a bit of common sense should be applied and the girls should be allowed to remove their tights to which I have been told if she removes her tights she will be put in 'isolation'.

“We felt it is quite extreme and we do absolutely go along with the rules all year round.

“I had a lengthy conversation with the head teacher but she said rules are rules for every day of the year but they do make exceptions because children do not have to wear blazers this week.

“She explained the reasons why they had to wear tights for modesty and dignity which felt slightly pre-historic, and it is slightly unhygienic in this weather.”

Parent Sarah Phillips added: “I do think the school is fabulous but in this case I am fuming about it.

“A lot of the children have to walk to and from school, and in tights it is not comfortable.”

Principal Deborah Warwick said: “The Academy dealt with the two students who after speaking to them about uniform refused to meet Academy expectations. It is for this reason we needed to talk to them.

“Discussions were had outside the classroom with both the girls and the parents

“The girls made the decision to wear correct uniform and were back in lesson in under an hour.

“The academy does not have an isolation, we have an area where conversations and intervention with students takes place. “

Maddie Green’s mother Janine said: “We were not happy with the outcome.

“She did back down so she was able to go back into lessons but if she had not she would have been put in isolation all day.

“When the teacher told called me I just laughed. I asked ‘Are you seriously telling me you have taken my taking my daughter out of lessons and away from learning because she won’t wear tights in the hot weather?

“This is all over a pair of tights, it is just ridiculous.”

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