what do you think of a school that makes the children wear short trousers and during the winter

[espares]

Hi
My ds has just started at a new school and has to wear short trousers and long grey socks.
Do you think its reasonable to expect the children to wear them during the winter also. we have to walk to school and I am not sure about this.

Woollymummy, there is every likelihood that every morning his parents were left looking at a nice warm coat that their DS flatly refused to wear. At our local school most of the boys are in shirtsleeves whatever the weather.

To the OP - my DH wore shorts and long socks in his freezing prep school and claims they were actually warmer than long trousers as the socks were very thick.

I think it's stupid. And I would suspect that if the school is going to be stupid about this then they are going to be stupid about other things too and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

I remember my brother crying with cold in his shorts at his prep school. And that was a long time ago when a lot of boys wore shorts until they were 11-12 ish. Nowadays if this catties on much beyond year 3 or4 they will also have to run the gauntlet of the children from other, non-short wearing schools....

DS wears shorts (nice warm cord ones) and long socks for school. It is intensely practical (he is on his second set of shorts and into his third year there - he must have gone through 5 sizes of long trousers in that time) and they all have to have waterproof trousers at school which they wear for play time. No blazer though, thank goodness - polo shirts for summer, lovely cotton polo necks for winter + warm snuggy jumper.

FWIW, my father had to wear shorts at school until he was 16 (and claims that yes that did scar him for life)

Madness. School uniforms should have sufficient variety such that children can dress appropriately both for the weather and for their own constitution - so shorts, trousers and skirts should all be possible right through the year.

My sister had terrible eczema that was exacerbated by the cold and my mother had to lobby the school like crazy to be allowed to let her go to school in tights in mid-winter.

oh and they only wear shorts up to Y3 - after that it is long cord trousers.

There are always a few boys who wear shorts all through the winter at our non-short-demanding state primary. I noticed a couple this morning; like Marina's DS, I think some just like it. DS2 is quite hardy but has moved into long trousers this week - his choice.

I think it's cruel and unreasonable to make shorts a requirement year round though.

Well I wouldn't complain unless he says he's freezing cold. Mine often wear shorts in winter - they have a choice - they don't seem to feel the cold tbh.

When it's freezing in Feb they might wear trousers.

It's fine if it's a choice. It's bonkers if it's compulsory.

ds has been wearing shorts for the last three years. He has never complained about the cold TBH.

He constantly has grazed knees from falling in the playground, so I sometimes think long trousers may protect his skin a bit. But then he would just need his trousers washed everyday. On balance I'm happy with his uniform, he looks cute.

My DSs go to a state school and have to wear shorts all year round, it's really not a big deal. School is nice and warm and if it's really freezing in winter I'll let him wear trackie bottoms to school (20mins walk) but he has never asked to, even when it was snowing last year! (he's 6 BTW)

I would think they cared more for their uniform than for the children they are responsible for.

Not excusing it but it's no different from girl's wearing skirts and socks, probably a bit warmer. Personally I don't think girls should have to wear skirts either.

Don't forget that uniform isn't compulsory in primary school.

If this is not something that the school has suddenly imposed, then it's not really something to get worked up about. Kids aren't outside for very long periods anyway. At my brother's school if very cold they used to wear trousers over the shorts on the way to school and take them off on arrival. If enough of the parents have an issue, then it should be raised formally, but otherwise to fail to support the school and just say sod it I'll dress my kid how I like as this is a state school is a shame.

Can't be bothered to find links to see if it's true, but have there not been suggestions that strict uniform policies are linked to standards? Obv. a very sweeping statement there, but the op did say she went because it had such a good reputation.

DS chose to wear shorts, just slightly above the knee with socks just slightly above the ankle on Saturday. On Sunday he chose to wear a too small dressing gown for much of the day....

Boys in pre-prep wear shorts and socks at DD's school all year although they are allowed to wear their grey tracksuit bottoms on cold days to play outside.

When they graduate to prep school they really feel grown up in their long trousers -wonder how quickly they will wear the knees out though.

My son went to a school like this until he was 11 and he was absolutely fine through the winter. Just buy longish shorts and make sure he pulls his socks up.

The only complaining comes from soppy mothers. The boys are running around at break time and don't get a chance to feel the cold. My son was very skinny and even he was fine.

Sorrythat sounded ruder than I intendedposting in haste. But seriously, I see quite tiny skinny little boys in shorts running around at breaktime looking comfortable.

i can't see what the point is of enforcing this rule.

What is the point, and for whom is it beneficial, really?

I think it's ridiculous.

Ok so maybe they won't freeze but walking to school on a bitter winter day in shorts can be bloody miserable, even with long socks.

If the school tradition was to wear t-shirts outside all through the winter, no one would find it acceptable.

oh hello pc! And agree with you - it's all for show and therefore bollocks.