to think parent should check the school uniform before deciding a school

[AuntiePickleBottom]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1385492/Boy-wears-skirt-school-uniform-row-rule-says-wear-shorts.html

if it was my son, i wouldn't allow him to go to school in a skirt. I think it maybe because i would fear him getting bullied over it.

It seems like an odd policy - the school uniform doesn't look particularly smart in the picture - a pair of shorts wouldn't make it look worse. Boys wear shorts right through school in summer in Australia.

Brilliant! Good on him!

Good on him! It isn't fair, and I think well done him for making a stand. Also think its petty of the school to not change the rules this summer. School uniform trousers must be gtim in a heatwave

Well done to the boy for making a stand! Clever lad. Actually if he/his parents had time to get plain kilts in the school colours, it will work out just right - he is following the rules and he is wearing something appropriate for a boy, and it will be cool. (bet I'll get a rush of responses from Scotland saying that a kilt isn't a skirt - but I think the rule for that school will be that it is, and therefore ok.)

I think that school uniforms are totally unnecessary and am really glad that we've moved to somewhere that doesn't have them (indeed most people seem to think the concept is very strange). Most of the boys here wear shorts in summer, indeed some of them wear shorts when the weather is decidedly cold. The surfer dude look is very popular. Thinking about it most of the girls wear shorts in the summer too.

My ds is almost 12, I don't control what he chooses to wear to school, I think he is old enough to make his own judgment as to the consequences, although if he wanted to do something out of the ordinary I'm fairly sure he'd want to talk to me about it first. I don't know why wearing school boy shorts is any different from wearing school bot trousers - it's not as if many schools still make little boys wear shorts until they are allowed to wear trousers (thank goodness).

i think school uniforms are deff a good thing as it stops discrimination between kids who wear expensive new clothes and kids that cant but the rules arround school uniforms shouldnt be that picky.
i say good on this lad. im only 20 and still remember high school and we had to wear blazers in summer too. even though most of the teachers didn't.
i always thought just the shirt and tie was sensible enough in summer but i always wore trousers. however my trousers for summer were baggyer and 100% cotton so it wasnt so bad.

I think it is ok for him to make a stand, but I don't think many boys will even want to wear shorts after about age 13. But at least they would have the choice of something other than a skirt.

I bet they're less worried about boys wearing shorts than girls wearing them, hotpants style.

"@bruffin - I teach in a secondary school. Not being allowed to wear shorts when the sun's cracking the flags is a perennial moan (especially since girls get to wear skirts.)"

Talking to my 15yr old DS they mean board short style not grey[griin]

When we went to the open evening at my sons chosen secondary school we were given the school uniform policy. Shirt, tie, blazer, trousers, black shoes and socks.
At the end of the address about the uniform and where to purchase it etc we were told if we have a problem with the policy not to complete our application to the school.

I can't help but feel it is always seen differently when it is a girl protesting about having to wear skirts and not allowed trousers, when boys wear trousers. It always seems to be "sexist", etc... So why not allow those boys who want to wear shorts, wear them?? What difference does it make in the grand scheme of things?

The school I went to, girls had to wear skirts at a length of between 2 inches below and above the knee, no splits, and not tight. Boys wore trousers all year round.

As long as the shorts, skirts and trousers are the correct colour, I really cannot understand where the problem is...

Well done that boy!
I hope the girls are allowed to wear shorts as well though.

I think reasonable to let secondary school boys to wear shorts in summer term, especially as unlike most offices, schools often are not air conditioned.

As many have pointed out most boys will not want to, but do see the point - if covering legs so important girls should have to wear trousers or skirts and tights all year round.

YABU to expect parents/prospective pupils to give too much consideration to uniform policy when selecting a school. There are far more important factors, imo.

Having said that I have been seriously put off two local secondaries by their daft uniform obsession. Both gave statements similar to that cantspel describes.

I like the HT's response. I also like what the lad did.

Ridiculous comment really. Surely you see the uniform when you visit the school.

The school has said he has raised the point in a good way and will be reassessing come September. I think good for him and it seems the children are backing him. He wants boys to be able to wear shorts, not skirts. He is wearing the skirt to make the point.

If it is illegal to specify boys and girls uniform my school is breaking the law.

I think that boy has a good future ahead of him. He decided that he wasn't happy with the way things were and found a legitimate way to protest and make sure his complaint was heard. He wasn't afraid to stand out from the crowd or look foolish to make his point. He'll go far in life.

I'm also impressed at the HT's response. It sounds like he's recognised the lad's potential and doesn't want to squash it.

YABU OP, I don't think the school's uniform should have any bearing on whether your child goes there!
I do think it is a great stand he has made on an issue he obviously feels strongly about - good on him. And he's got the school to review the situation too .
I went to a school where the boys had to wear a blazer at all times, however, if the weather was warm enough shirt sleeve orders was declared and they could dispense with their blazer during the school day, although it still had to be worn to and from school. They were allowed to wear shorts if they wanted to but they had to be smart and mid thigh length - I don't think ANY of them actually took up that option .
Mind you, my dad remembers having to wear shorts at school during the summer term whatever the weather! He recalls some very chilly days where frankly they would have killed to be allowed to wear long trousers!! .

As I said on the other thread about this, I would be extremely proud to have a child who stood up for his principles like this. I don't see why his parents should be other than supportive of his stand.

TheOriginalFAB - it's not illegal and your school is ok - the head in this case is actually mistaken.

You can have different requirements for different sex if it's the same overall standard and not tougher on one sex rather than another in order to comply. For example, there was a case a few years ago about men at the Department of Work and Pensions having to wear a shirt and tie and it was held it was ok to expect them to and not to make women do so, as long as the women were expected to dress to a similarly smart level.

This school is very local to me. I wouldn't judge it based solely on the DM's reporting!

There was a lovely piece on the local TV news last night about it.

He's an intelligent and articulate lad who is making a point in a charming and inoffensive manner.

Good luck to him I say!

Fouled that up!try again

14:54 for the clip EcoLady linked

I support him, sensible kid.

At ds's school they have to wear shorts until they get to yr 6. Even in the winter, although they are then allowed to wear their tracksuit bottoms over their shorts on the way to/from school.

Me and my mates all wore our jumpers on our legs in protest at not being allowed to wear trousers. We didn't win, neither did we get into the Daily Wail! Bah.