MORE than 780 people have signed an online petition urging a Wirral school to rethink its policy on jumpers after pupils were left sweltering in 24 degree heat during a uniform inspection.

The protest was launched after claims kids began to faint and vomit and had to be sent home because they felt unwell.

The campaign is led by mum Jennifer Saunderson whose son Max attends St Mary's Catholic College in Wallasey.

The school introduced a grey school jumper which it says must be worn in addition to their shirt, tie and blazer.

But Mrs Saunderson (pictured, below) claims that during a playground inspection last week, pupils were segregated into groups according to how their uniforms looked.

Wirral Globe:

Some began to faint and vomit because of the heat and were sent home because they felt unwell.

She has requested a meeting with the headteacher and school governors to discuss the issue, but has heard nothing yet.

The angry mum told the Globe: "It's not just about my son - it's everybody's children.

"The school has said pupils can take their jumpers off in the classroom, but some are too embarrassed to do that after they been standing outside in the heat, sweating.

"The children don't feel that they can speak out, we have to be their voice.

"It's not an attack on the school, staff or the headteacher, it's just about asking for common sense and to be reasonable.

"The school uniform checking process they used last week was awful.

"Our children were made to stand out in 24 degree heat, with some fainting and vomiting while being chastised over items being incorrect or missing.

"I have made a formal complaint to the school and spoken with my son's year head although the school head hasn't offered me the opportunity as yet to discuss matters with him. I find that very frustrating.

"The NUT says children find it difficult to concentrate in the heat and that exposure should be kept to a minimum.

"I don't believe that the school has taken our children’s health and best interests into consideration.

"They have to take our views into account.”

Comments on the petition page include one by a pupil whose brother attends the school: "In this weather, to wear three layers of clothing is asking for kids not to concentrate.

"Blazer, shirt and tie will still look smart, and taking the blazer off in this weather should be perfectly fine.

"The school seem to be caring too much of what the pupils look like instead of what they're being taught."

Another wrote: "Children have human rights too and should not be made to be hot to the point of fainting to adhere to the schools strict uniform policy."

On the subject of jumpers, a former pupil added: "My children are suffering, arriving home each night soaked with sweat.

"St Mary’s has done all these years without them and the children have always looked presentable … I can remember how hot the school got with just a blazer!

"Surely the health and wellbeing of children is much more important than what they look like ... smart and presentable should be able to suffice."

The Globe approached St Mary's Catholic College who declined our invitation to comment.