School insist on black trousers for summer

[Berrypavlova]

Hi,

My son is in Y7 and so about to have his first June / July at his new secondary school.
the uniform insists on black trousers for boys even on sunniest days. This seems madness to me, but apparently they refuse to budge on the rule.

Does anyone have any clever ideas how to manage without the boys all melting? I have looked for lightweight school trousers but cannot find anything suitable.

thanks v much

I think you'll find that almost every school in the UK insists on black trousers. Your son won't suffer.

As a teacher, my usual "work outfit" is a blouse and trousers. I don't like wearing skirts in the lab, or leaving my legs uncovered. I also always wear closed shoes. I haven't melted yet.

I'm not completely sold on school uniform, necessarily, but I don't think shorts are appropriate wear for many practical lessons in secondary schools- especially practical science- and this would normally be a standard rule in a professional lab, too.

I know you get the odd classroom which turns into a sauna in the summer, but in most school buildings, a shirt and trousers are completely managable.
I agree with you.
I'm also not completely sold on school uniform, but then when I hear endless complaining about non-issues (like wearing a pair of trousers in the UK, much like millions of other people who haven't shrivelled up) I can't help think this is exactly why it's probably less hassle to have uniform. If it wasn't complaining about a simple pair of trousers, it would be complaining about another part of the dress code.

DH and I have both had legs out in our office jobs for this recent spell of warm weather. I’ve been wearing skirts and him shorts. And neither of us have been sacked for exposing our lower legs.

Genuinely feel a bit sorry for these kids expected to wear long black trousers. Its really stuffy at the moment. Not sure who shorts would be offending.

Good luck OP (both in finding a solution and wading through these replies).

What would you rather him wear? It would be a brave y7 to turn up in shorts if every other boy is wearing trousers.

DT’s did science classes including lab time at a non uniform school which included them wearing shorts in the summer. Wasn’t an issue.

SockTurtleMoop
Honestly the problem isn't the wearing of shorts.

The problem is that this is what will inevitably happen in a large number of British schools by a sizable (and loud) minority of parents:
"It's hot and we think boys should be able to wear shorts"
School: ok, boys can wear school shorts just like girls can wear skirts
"But that's not fair boys can wear shorts and we can't"

School: ok, both sexes can wear shorts and we expect both sexes to wear appropriately smart shorts, here are some examples. Shorts should be knee length or just above the knee for both sexes
...
"We'd just like to remind boys that the shorts uniform is smart shorts and not sports shorts" (nothing more happens because the parents get the message)
...
"We would like to remind all parents and students that sports shorts, lycra shorts, denim shorts, fashion shorts and shorts that are above the knee are not part of the uniform. We will be following the standard uniform process for any students who repeatedly refuse to follow basic rules".

"Waaaah! You're sexualising girls. How dare you say that my daughter can't have her arse hanging out at school. If someone can't handle my child wearing hot pants then they shouldn't be a teacher. I'm going to go sad face posing to the local press about how awful it is that my child, who wasn't wearing uniform and refuses to follow very simple instructions, was pulled up for wearing Nike pros instead of the uniform ".

School: "ummm, we made the uniform clear but unfortunately some parents and students can't handle basic information so we are reverting to a no shorts uniform."

If wearing shorts was an issue of Health and safety for boys... girls wouldn't be allowed to wear skirts and socks with open shoes!

Our local secondary schools do pe kit when it’s hot weather. Which I’ve often thought is eminently sensible. It’s still a uniform, it has the school badge on it but it’s far more comfortable

Amazing that the non uniform schools in the uk and around the world manage to wear appropriate clothing without wasting education time enforcing never ending uniform rules?

Or... like my kids school... the type of permitted shorts is outlined clearly on the uniform policy, same with trousers... its clear its tailored uniform shorts as available in uniform sections and school uniform shorts, not random shorts

At my primary school, the boys had to wear their blazers in class until the headmaster gave permission to leave them.in the cloakroom. He never ever took his suit jacket off.

The norm it may be, but it definitely is madness.

For me the issue is no showers or lockers at schools anymore.

My son cycles in, might have a sport before lunch, plays sport at lunch, has to sit in a bloody sweaty box all afternoon with no option to shower or change into another outfit because there aren't any bloody lockers, then does an after school sport and cycles home.

For kids who are self-concious anyway it really does take away the option of enjoying sports - mine is happy with those "festival sized" baby wipes and a load of deodorant, but I imagine kids who are more self-conscious are shunning physical activity because of this stuff.

I work for a big firm, we have showers for those who cycle in, and nobody would bat an eyelid if I changed during the day. I had no idea my son's 1200 pupil school didn't have lockers until winter when he kept getting detention for wearing a coat?!?

We live in the arse end of nowhere, no kid from here is leaving at 6.45am without a coat in winter, but they get bloody detentions for wearing them in school because the school don't have lockers to keep them in?! Absolute nonsense.

Most schools expect uniform even in the summer don't they ? Your son will be fine hopefully the school Is well shaded.

Lots of men wear tailored shorts and polo shirt to work if it’s hot, perfectly smart.
we had summer uniform years ago…

Snowflakes melt in summer even if not forced to wear black trousers.
😉😁😁

Shorts won't make him that much cooler

And will be a bullying target

Thanks for all the messages! There are a few good ideas I’ll have a look into.

I really don’t buy the ‘prepares you for the work place’ argument. I’ve worked in really formal corporate offices for years and the men are definitely not wearing suit trousers in summer - and the offices are air conditioned which the school defo isn’t. I know there are some jobs which would require trousers as a health & safety thing, but they might also require hard hats and we don’t see schools adding those to the uniform 😂

My DC face have chinos (or chino shorts at the school that allowed shorts)for summer.

Pretty sure all secondaries would say the same. When I was in secondary school we also had to keep our blazer and ties on when walking around the school in hot weather. I'm sure he will live

Amazing that the non uniform schools in the uk and around the world manage to wear appropriate clothing without wasting education time enforcing never ending uniform rules?
Having taught overseas briefly, my experience is the vast majority of parents don't spend a silly amount of time looking for ways to argue with their children's schools over fairly simple and basic pieces of information.

It isn't about uniform or not having a uniform.

The problem is that there's a certain type of British parent/student who will argue about anything. If it isn't the uniform it is something else.

I've sat in meetings where parents will lie to staff to cover for their children or defend their child's refusal to follow simple and reasonable expectations. You only have to look at local papers in September for the millions of sad faces because it turns out pink hair isn't a natural hair colour.

Those parents won't suddenly apply common sense when there's no uniform. They'd be the ones arguing that "covered midriff" for all people, staff and students, doesn't apply to their child and anyone who says otherwise is a pervert. Or the dress code rule about closed shoes with backs doesn't apply because their DC wants to wear sliders in a science lab

We end up on these threads together - my Ds also none uniform has managed science all through school in the summer in shorts .

He will be much more comfortable tomorrow for bus Gcse English exam in a pair of jersey shorts and t shirts.

I have had various jobs - some I have been in leggings and t shirts , some uniform. I have managed to switch between both without having to practice .

Having 1 child in college and another nearing the end of year 11, I can't say they have ever complained about wearing black trousers
When it is too hot (normally above 26/28) the school say it's fine not to wear blazers

What do you think he should wear?

Ds's school (standard state comp) changed to allow shorts instead of trousers/skirt when he started.
He may be often the only child in mid winter wearing shorts but he is very happy with that. Or has been, being year 11, he won't be wearing uniform again. He'll be wearing shorts and t-shirt anyway though.
Saved me money too as shorts last far longer.