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.

our school's boys wear short trousers all the way through school and it isnt fee paying or anything, just an ordinary state primary,and I have never seen a problem with it.

Long shorts and long socks are not that different to the girls having to wear skirts and no one kicks up a fuss about that. I know girls can wear tights but they dont all choose to (I know I didnt) and who insists their girls wear trousers in the winter?

I always found it better actually as ds1 grew about an inch a week and I would have been forever buying him new trousers, but as it was his shorts just got a bit shorter and lasted a lot longer!!

the only consession I made was when ds1 had his taster day in 2ndary school, and he was meant to go in full uniform, I, and most of the other mums, bought them long trousers for that

Visited NZ over the summer (their winter), was in Dunedin, and it's really blardy cold there.

The boys there have to wear shorts until they are 17!! Groups of teenage boys hanging around shopping malls in shorts is just so less scary than groups of teenage boys hanging around in hoodies.

Not read the whole thread but one thing that made me think the head of ds's prospective pre-prep has common sense was when he said he wouldn't dream of making the boys wear shorts in winter as he wouldn't wear shorts in winter.

Ds wears woollen shorts and wool long socks in winter at his new school - and will do until he is 13. The trick to to buy really long shorts and a long coat.

No difference really to my entire 70s and 80 schooling with knee length skirts and knee socks.

The classrooms are always boiling hot so those knees will warm up.

stealthsquiggle - what school is that? I wish all DCs could go there!!

abraid on Sun 23-Nov-08 20:30:04
"You're talking about a country where winters are mild. Where boys run around for short periods of time (max. about 30 minutes by the time they've had lunch, etc) outside. If you watch them they are on the move constantly, chasing balls, playing tag, etc."

You are also talking about a country where children are regularly kept in during breaktime if the weather is cold/wet/snowy/frosty. Because their winter clothing is not adequate. This to my mind is disgusting. We were never kept in if the thermometer was over -25C.

I think these are all good points and clearly wearing shorts wont scar a child for life, but I would resent being told to wear them in winter, so I would resent it on behalf of my child.

It's no big deal either way surely - so why does he HAVE to wear shorts?

Battled long and hard at my girls school to wear trousers, we won in the end. Skirts and tights not half as cosy as trousers and tights...aye winter was winter in them days.

I would have absolutely no problem with it at all. Shorts and long socks really are not a problem IMO, and no worse than girls wearing skirts/dresses and long socks, which many do.

I would assume most schools with such a uniform is one where parents are opting - private schools, church schools, etc. If you know the uniform in advance and still choose the school - then IMO you should just put up with it.

And def not a problem re ties. IME most children manage to figure out the whole tie tying issue within the first term.

Catholic school my dd will be going to [selection process allowing] has the full monty school uniform. But then on tour with head she sort of asked us not to send her in a tie particulary on sports days. She said they had them as many parents prefered the traditional uniform but they were also happy to see children in a polo shirt.

I appreciated the flexibility and allowances for childrens development and tastes. dd1 can barely do a button up as yet!

ms ds is starting kindergarten / pre-prep in January, I got him an elasticated tie - is that a real faux pas?

Also, where can I get the said shorts at this time of year? (as obviously didnt buy them in the summer like everyone else, doh!) Preferably shops rather than uniform supplier - already paid them my life savings.

Yes, but why? Our school lets girls and boys wear trousers in winter. The option to wear shorts or skirts year round if you want to is fine, but why would a school have such a strange anachronistic rule? TBH I feel the same about ties. It's irrelevant whether little girls and boys can learn to tie them; the issue is why on earth we should make them wear that unnecessary, fiddly piece of clothing.

God my DS1 was so very happy that his school had shorts until they were ten.
He used to get excema on the back of his knees which was so sore in trousers but no prob in shorts.
Same as DD now wears long socks with her school dress rather than tights in winter - her legs are so much more comfortable.

Ridiculous.

Ds would be happy wearing shorts all year round. The only reason he changes into trousers after the Ocotber Week is 'cos none of the other kids are wearing them - and'cos we don't have any long socks (maybe I should get some).

In fact, on Guy Fawkes night, he chose to wear shorts while running around the garden while we had a fireworks party (not anywhere near the fireworks, I hasten to had ).

We too are in Scotland: maybe we are hardier up here. Like Wasondering, my borther also wore shorts all the way through school, with no complaints back in those days. While it might be "anarchronistic" in terms of fashion/custom, the weather cannot be used as a reason for the change in practice, as it can't be argued that it is 'cos it is colder nowadays. The opposite is true!

Hm, I don't think its got anything to do with being hardy. I am from Sweden and I always dress my children up warm and teach them NOT to take their clothes off when its cold even if they are running around feeling hot. Feelling warm is not the same as actually being warm. I have never seen a scandinavian child dressed in shorts in autumn/winter...

Is that right that state school uniform is not enforcable ?
I would love to send my girls in wearing baggies and a sweat shirt to see the heads face.

Our school is shorts, shirts and ties until year 4 or 5 I think and its great. Long warm socks and long shorts are fine for England (making an assumption you are england - could be wrong) - we are not cold canada are we!. The strict uniform does seem to stop competition and really looks smart and cute. The ties are great - but for the little ones they are elasticated so they just slip them on - and they look so smart. It doesnt hurt for them to have to learn how to button shirts early - they cope fine after a few months. Not keeping to the uniform policy may not be illegal but would really annoy other parents I think - its not fair to the school to ignore it. Apparently my teacher friend tells me that there is evidence to support better behaviour when uniform is enforced - how true I dont know.

Not keeping to the uniform policy may not be illegal but would really annoy other parents I think

That seals the deal Boden tomorrow it is !!!

Sorry - I dont get it???

School uniforms are so booooring. If they have to have school uniform at least make Boden decide them and get som happy stripes into the primary schools

Oh I see - sorry, bit slow!!

It's no different than girls wearing a skirt & socks. I never wore tights to school, my knees survived.

I went through several pairs of trousers in 3 terms with ds. He has now changed to a school with shorts and he's the 3rd boy to wear some of the shorts.

I think it is ridiculous. Schools that have such stupid rules should have the teachers follow them too. I can't remember the last time I saw an adult in shorts in the winter. My ds used to get very cold walking to school in his ordinary school trousers, and there is no way I would have sent my dd to school in a skirt or dress without tights.

We are now in Canada where there are no school uniforms (same in the States) there are no terrible discipline problems, no apparent "style" bullies, and even though it is about as cold here as in the UK only two or three children in shorts.

Why on earth cold legs are thought to improve educational standards is beyond me. If the children have to get changed to go outside, or to walk to school then what on earth is the point in wearing shorts at all? If it is so they look "cute" then that I would be very concerned that the school (and parents) have their priorities very wrong. Of course they will survive it, as many other children have before, but is that really a standard to aspire to? I want my children to enjoy school, not endure it.