Strict uniform policy-skirts but no shorts

[Sleepdeprived42long]

DS moving up to high school next year. Received details of the school’s uniform policy and word from parents with older kids is that it is strictly enforced.

Uniform is trousers or skirts, shirt with collar buttoned to top and tie visible at all times, blazer worn at all times outside class.

My DS lives in shorts to school. He hates wearing trousers-finds them too hot all year round!

AIBU to think that it seems unfair that girls can wear skirts and trousers but realistically most boys will be restricted to trousers? Or am I missing an obvious reason why skirts are acceptable and shorts aren’t?

My DS has sensory issues with clothing and noises (but no ASD diagnosis as no other symptoms) and is already hating the no shorts, the button to neck requirement of the shirt and the tie!

School say this is policy and children not in uniform will be sent home to change or given change from clothes school have as spare.

To be clear-this is a state school.

Ours too. Even in the height of Summer. It's a great school but a ridiculous approach to blazers.

Every year at least one school has "boys at X wear skirts in protest that they can't wear shorts in summer" so it's not a new debate

Equally, lots of places don't allow shorts (even smart shorts) but allow skirts. I have a pair of black shorts in the same material and style as my work trousers. I still couldn't wear them to work but I could a skirt. It's just the way it is

Op I'd have a word with school.

One near me added tailored shorts to the uniform list this year. And a comment has been made about some children wearing them all year. Not sure what made them change.

We had EXACTLY the same issue when our foster son was due to start secondary . For most of y4 and all of y5/6 he wore shorts for school regardless of weather, including snow. No diagnosis as ND but definitely has some aspects of adhd . Hates the sensory feel / restriction of trousers on his legs.
We bought him as loose fitting as we could (must be school issue trousers with emblem on) and he would whinge about it at home but we never had an.issue at school. He so didn't want to stand out in any way ( being in care made him stand out already, according to him) that he wore them and changed immediately he got home.
He has been absolutely brilliant and now in y9.

No you didn’t.

My workplace is no shorts unless they issue a hot weather dress code email then shorts are allowed

Abotior worker
Pretty much any factory work
Lab assistant
Anything working with chemicals
Motorbike courier

I’ve been teaching for nearly thirty years - never known shorts be permitted in any of the schools I’ve taught in. And I’ve never had a male colleague wear shorts either! I’m surprised by your surprise about this issue, tbh!

Completely standard in secondary schools for boys to be required to wear trousers rather than shorts.

That said, I think personally that smart, tailored shorts could be an option for both boys and girls during the summer months.

Talk to school about “soft uniform”. As a governor, and ASD parent, I’ve been working with my school on uniform .. and making sure we have a uniform / policy for that works for children with sensory issues.

Uniform should not be a blocker to any child attending school, whilst remembering that children don’t really like “sticking out”. Polo shirts instead of button up shirts work well, no tie, and no blazer (or a soft version).

You might want to pursue a diagnosis … masking in primary, doesn’t work as well in high school

I have never seen a secondary aged child in shorts. Assuming yours wear blazers it would be a very odd look.

Schools are in the dark ages with uniform in my opinion.

What on earth is wrong with;

Branded zip through hoodie
Plain joggers
Plain polo
Smart trainers

Agree with you. If girls have a choice, boys ought to as well.

Yanbu. Secondaries should allow shorts all year round. They're exactly the same as skirts. If they want kids walking in and schools don't have air con they should at least let them wear suitable clothing.

Lots of blokes wear smart shorts at the business park I work in.

Our secondary allows shorts. My dc go there and I work there. DS is y7 and wears shorts.

For years, shorts wearers have been mercilessly teased, but as staff we've been zero tolerance and encouraged new starters to buy them as part of summer uniform. It's started to shift now and the younger ones in particular now wear shorts a lot and I haven't heard any teasing this year.

I think they should be allowed to wear shorts. Awfully hot in summer and how can they concentrate? Replay sports etc if they are uncomfortable?

I don’t like uniforms, but did see Spanish children in tshirts and shorts as a uniform when in Spain and they all looked snark and comfortable.

My DS wore shorts all year round at primary. He was devastated when he started y7 that shorts weren't allowed - it's a bit of a sensory thing for him too.

He's in Y10 now - he got used to it pretty quickly. He never wears the slim cut style but always regular, so he's got a bit more room to move.

Like others have mentioned, there seems to be a protest/ petition on an annual basis, but nothing really comes of it.

Our school is a very mixed catchment and has a clear affordable uniform policy. Apart from the school jumpers (no blazer) it can all be picked up at supermarkets. Supermarkets don't often sell school shorts in secondary school sizes, and so it would be difficult to meet the policy.

A bit 'chicken and egg', but that's one of our school's reasons for not allowing shorts.

Neither secondary that my DC went to allowed shorts. The only exception is during exceptionally hot weather when they’re allowed to remove their blazer and tie and wear shorts. Girls aren’t usually allowed socks, tights only, but again in hot weather they relax it a bit.

Shorts wouldn’t be allowed at my workplace either (lawyer).

Supermarkets don't often sell school shorts in secondary school sizes, and so it would be difficult to meet the policy

Marks and Spencer sell shorts 2 pairs between £8 and £12 depending on size.

I'm a teacher & the 'no shorts with top button/tie' uniform combo is standard in pretty much every secondary school in England. The uniform debate will always rage on, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. It'll be one of many times throughout secondary education where a child has to 'conform' in some way.

My immediate comment might be that the Head is putting on some sort of display of toxic masculinity

However my immediate comment might be what about 'Health & Safety' and the risk of heatstroke in hot weather?

Might be worth talking to the Health & Safety Executive / Local Hospital etc

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures

I agree with the above but not joggers. DD's old school had polo shirts and logoed sweatshirts before they revised the uniform policy. I don't know why it was changed.

It is out of step with how most people dress for the office these days.

This is a reality check that sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do! Rules can’t always be bent for your child.

I have never seen a secondary school uniform that includes shorts, state or private.

But only up to age 13-14. My 14.5 to ds is 6 foot tall!