A Gateshead mum has claimed that her daughter was stopped from getting food and water on the hottest day of the year in July because of how she was wearing her t-shirt.
Rebecca Booth said her daughter had tied her top at the back in a manner which showed some of her stomach - and claims that this was cited by staff at Heworth Grange as a reason she couldn't get some food or water. Mum Rebecca said she had complained and been "appalled" by the way it had been handled.
"On July 18, the hottest day of the year, She went into school and they were allowed to wear non-uniform. She had tied her t-shirt at the back. I was picking her up for a doctor's appointment," Rebecca said. "She said she was going to grab some food and water. She came and said she wasn't allowed anything - food or water.
"The school are brushing it under the carpet. I'm appalled at how it's been handled."
On the day in question, temperatures in the North East hit record highs, with the mercury passing 36.8 degrees celsius in some areas.
Rebecca said she had raised the issue with the school. but that she felt her concerns had not been taken seriously. She had been told a HR process was taking place - but the school, part of the Consilium Academies group, did not confirm this.
A spokesperson for Heworth Grange School said: "The health and safety of our students is our number one priority. We would never withhold water or food from a student in any circumstance, and we take our responsibility of making sure every child eats in school very seriously.
"We welcome any feedback from our students, and their parents and carers, and ensure all our procedures are followed correctly. During the extreme heat in July we put a variety of measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of every child in our care.
"We provided giant water barrels in the main hall which our students accessed on rotation. Students were able to leave lessons to access water regularly throughout the day. We allowed them to come to school in non-uniform and had huge amounts of sun cream to hand.
"Time outdoors was limited to short periods and when students were outside they were advised to wear hats. These measures were well received by our students and parents alike."
The school did not address suggestions it had "brushed off" Rebecca's complaint. Asked about Rebecca's suggestion that her daughter was told she could not have water, the school provided its statement highlighting the provision of water barrels in the school on the day in question.
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