SCHOOLCHILDREN at a state school in Carlisle have ‘taken a stand’ against its uniform policy, which they say hasn't allowed cooler clothing during the recent heatwave.

Some pupils at St John Henry Newman Catholic School have even walked out over this as part of an ongoing dispute, that has resulted in after-school detentions and isolations for some children.

A parent of two such children in the school, Tracey Richardson, said that the school 'refuses to relax its uniform policy to an acceptable level', and in the recent hot days, some of the children ‘took a stand’ and arrived in their PE kits, which have the school logo on them.

She claimed the children were given the punishments of isolation and after-school detention.

She said this happened for the first time on Tuesday, when the children lined up to get their uniforms checked, as happens every day, and as the first few children were told of their punishment, others chose to go home instead of continuing their day at school.

This happened again yesterday morning (July 14), and, according to Tracey, will continue until exceptions to the uniform are made.

Tracey said there were roughly 20 children who walked out in protest of the policy.

“When I challenged the school, they said they had the best air conditioning around, and the children will be looked after throughout, and that ‘policy was policy’," she said.

“I thought, if the children are going to do this, I will stand by them.

“They’re turning up to learn, but due to the uniform policy, they have lost two days of education."

Temperatures in Carlisle have soared this week, with Monday seeing the hottest day of the year.

Tracey posted about the walk-out on Facebook and received over 60 supportive comments, and nearly 90 supportive reactions.

The school uniform policy states that boys must wear a black blazer, smart black trousers, black socks, a plain white school shirt, and black ‘traditional polishable school-type shows with distinct heel and not flat soled’, as well as a tie.

Girls must wear the same blazer, shirt, and tie, but can either wear the same trousers, or a black, knee-length, school skirt, and must wear plain, opaque black tights/socks.

The PE kit consists of black shorts, a red t-shirt, and ‘training shoes’.

Other schools across the country have relaxed their uniform policy to allow PE kits to be worn during the very warm school days, with some also not mandating the wearing of blazers throughout the day.

Tracey said the school said the children must still wear the blazer and tie during inspections. They may remove the blazer in class, but added that it’s 'not enough'.

Tracey continued: “On Monday, they all went in full uniform, and my daughter came home and looked so hot and poorly.

“A lot of the rules there are very outdated, I think in exceptional circumstances they should allow changes.

“The school has threatened us with fines for unauthorised absences and truancy, but I will stand by my children.

“All of my friends have joined together as well, and they back the children in this.”

The school declined to comment.