about school uniform?

[SocksRock]

My daughter asked me yesterday if she could wear shorts to school as it was hot - thought nothing more of it, as my son who goes to the same school wears shorts all the time. I shortened a pair of her trousers for her (too short anyway so no loss), and off she went.

She came home saying a TA had told her girls weren't allowed to wear shorts, but I've had no letter from the school - checked the uniform policy and it does say that girls can only wear check dresses or skirts or trousers, whereas the boys can wear trousers or shorts.

AIBU to enquire with the school as to why girls can't wear shorts? They were smart navy, with school polo and jumper as required, navy blue short socks and smart black shoes. Exactly as she would have worn with a skirt.

I get that schools want to maintain a uniform appearance and am happy to support that by buying the correct uniform and keeping it clean and smart - but I do think that girls should be allowed to wear shorts if they want. She loves climbing and cartwheels and said it's easier in shorts than a dress.

my daughter wears those shorts in the first link at school with tights or knee socks and has had no comment made at all. They are not any shorter than some of the summer dresses - and a darn sight more practical.

Little girls wear shorts similar to the ones little boys wear at my DS's primary. I have also noticed some of the older boys wearing 3/4 length trousers. Not too sure about that, though I bet DS would like them.

These, for example, are called culottes but look like shorts to me (and are in the trousers rather than the skirts section):

www.next.co.uk/x5d612s5#100461x55

I can see why schools don't want children in the shorter more- fashion style shorts such as HelpMe posted in her first link (but I would say that for both girls and boys, it's not just about girls in too short shorts).

No hot pant shorts under summer dresses??

Really? How on earth do they know?

I can understand no cycling shorts under dresses. There was girl at DDs primary that had white cycling shorts longer than her dress and it did look shit tbh. Then later in the term she started to wear black ones the same (longer than the dress) and that looked even shitter.

But to say no hot pant style shorts under dresses is an absolute piss take? Do they stipulate what kind of pants girls and boys can wear??

Some of the girls wear culottes here.

If the OP's DD is happy to wear shorts then why in heaven's name does she need to buy "Shorts that look like a skirt"???

Who would care? What's the difference?

One of the things that I like about DS's school is that they just list the uniform items and don't specify girls or boys. I've not seen any girls so far wearing shorts but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a problem as they're not listed as being specifically for boys.

Sorry, by hot pants I understood the cycling shorts - which are not allowed. I didn't realise there was something different!

I'm going to get her to write a polite letter asking the reasons why and outlining why she wants to wear shorts (practicality). We'll see what they say...

hot pants are klid of 'short' cycling shorts :)

Clearly the uniform policy was last reviewed in the 50's and I think the letter idea is a good one. Its just changing times and it is far more acceptable now for kids to wear the same boy or girl. I don't think they should even list sep for girls and boys just one list for both and if they want to include dresses and skirts then boys should be allowed to wear them if they want to as well. But that is prob going a bit to far for middle England!!

I find this all very odd in this day and age. My DS starts school in September and I've noticed that girls are allowed to wear cardigans but not boys which is also odd. Girls aren't allowed to wear shorts either.

The school DOES have a gender equality policy though so that's alright

I agree there should be a single uniform list.