The father of a schoolboy who was sent home for wearing shorts to class as England endured their hottest day yet this year says he is “angry”.
Alan Freeman said he was “stunned” when his 14-year-old son came home to change.
West Yorkshire’s Heckmondwike Grammar School has urged the teenager to change out of his gray formal shorts despite the rising temperatures.
A school boy said the uniform policy had been relaxed to only allow blazers and ties to be removed.
A number of schools closed their doors on Monday and Tuesday while others shed their uniforms as temperatures are expected to reach 40C (104F) in parts of the UK.
Mr Freeman, who made the shorts out of trousers, said the school had sent out guidelines telling students not to wear sports shorts.
“You gave me the impression that gray formal shorts are allowed,” he said.
“[My son] came home, put on long pants and went back to school.
“He’s not very happy. He’s a bit exhausted and tired.”
Mr Freeman said none of the other students were wearing shorts.
The temperature in Heckmondwike rose to 35C on Monday and was expected to reach 39C on Tuesday, with a yellow extreme heat weather warning in place.
Some schools across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have closed completely due to the hot weather.
Others were expected to close earlier or relax their uniform policy to help students during the heatwave.
Schools were not ordered to close, but the Department of Education said school leaders should “ensure they are taking all the necessary steps to ensure children are safe and comfortable”.
Guidelines include avoiding classes that involve “vigorous physical activity” and that children should wear loose, light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed sun hats.
A spokesman for Heckmondwike Grammar School said they had relaxed their uniform policy.
They told the BBC only classrooms with air conditioning would be used during the heatwave and popsicles would be provided to pupils.
The spokesman said they “enjoyed a great day”.
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