A uniform challenge with a satisfactory ending

[MelodiousThunk]

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/surrey-schoolboy-who-wore-skirt-27672417

What does amaze me is that the school actually have shorts as an option in the summer term at all. I wish DS's school had this, he hates wearing long trousers (sensory issues + very itchy child in general), and has a very hilly cycle to school and is melting once he gets there in long trousers with heavy bag etc, even with blazer in his bag and trousers rolled up.

Quite a few boys at Dd1's mixed secondary wear skirts when it's really hot as they're not allowed to wear shorts.

Really the whole of UK could do with rethinking its vision of forcing children to wear suits and ties to school. Europe and US generally don't have uniforms at all.

We've had 3 weeks so far this year (2 in June and 1 now) of 30C weather during school term. The contrast between the secondary school kids (sweltering in blazers and ties) and the sixth formers (in t-shirts and shorts) waiting for the bus or walking to school/college is remarkable. The sixth formers look just look like their French/German/American counterparts. The poor younger kids look like a dishevelled sweaty mess.

And the primary kids in cotton dresses or shorts.... sometimes I think we just don't like older kids much in this country

Agree about a uniform rethink, it is desperately needed.

I actually think a wider awareness of temperature increase is needed across all schools.

Yr6 DS came home today bright red and sweaty and said they did PE from 2-3 pm in the courtyard at school with no shade. It is about 33 degrees in the sun.

Madness.

Mine did cross-country during the same time - it's crazy! Then he had to change back into his shirt, tie and blazer just to leave the bloody site 😳

My DDs school allows shorts.

None of them wear them.

My son is in year 8 in secondary school and all the boys have been in shorts this week and a lot of the girls have too.

I can't understand why any school would want the pupils to be uncomfortable.

@PuttingDownRoots you mean none of the boys wear shorts despite being allowed to? That's bizarre! Is it cultural perhaps where you are? All the boys here are straight into shorts and t-shirt the moment they get home and would love to be able to wear shorts at school instead of sticky long trousers. They all wear shorts in sixth form too.

This.
When ds (now late 20s) was in Junior school, he wore school shorts for half the year, but there was only ever him and occasionally a couple of others who were willing to wear shorts even though it was perfectly allowed. (90 in the year, so I guess about 45 boys).

@Blinkingmarvellous yeah, DS loved his junior school uniform - really useful shorts with big cargo pockets and a cotton polo shirt. Perfect for active kids. The secondary school uniform is designed by people who have zero concept of active childhood and especially active travel.

I'm guessing the main reason will be is the parents don't want to buy them on the off chance they need them! They all wear shorts after school.

@UsingChangeofName do you mind saying where you are? We are in SE and the infants/junior school boys have a choice of shorts or long trousers but the vast majority wear shorts all year round, even in the depths of winter. It's quite an outdoorsy place though (massive mountain biking scene) so maybe that's why.

I'm in England. Midlands.

some more wore shorts in the Infants, but once they got into the Juniors, practically no-one did.
I thought it was bonkers.

It's funny how different the school culture can vary across the UK! Here it seems definitely that shorts in infants/juniors were the default and you only ever saw the long trousers in the middle of winter (and then only on some of the boys). We tried to get DS into long trousers when the temperature dipped below zero but he generally refused - he thinks they are a bit wussy really. Unfortunately it has not set them up well for secondary school where they are mandated with no alternative.

Primary school we went to (mid 70s) boys had to wear shorts with knee socks all year round.

Good. I hate the draconian uniform rules.

DDs primary school is fortunately pretty sensible, even to the point of allowing sandals in warm weather.
I send her in whatever is weather appropriate, first 2 days back has been sandals.

I dread when she goes to secondary though as they are the complete opposite with blazers and have ask to take them off etc while teachers swan around in flip flops and sundresses!

Ds' secondary school (state in Surrey) has allowed shorts (boys or girls) after a petition the year before he started. He's has worn them all year round through all temperatures, snow etc and now he's in the 6th form where he can choose what he wears, so will still be in shorts.
He's normally the only one wearing them in winter, but actually even in summer very few wear them, including the group who initially started the petition-I don't think any of them actually wore them when it came to it.

I think they look quite smart too.

DD's secondary was ridiculous, no blazers unless authorised and they stunk after a day in the heat. Fair to the teaching staff, the male ones also suffered.

Now it's 6th form, smart business dress. I work in City of London banking and. we wear fairly casual but DD has to wear formal dress because nobody thinks to update the uniform code.

I come from a non-uniform country and I still managed to get a decent A-level despite wearing jeans, trainers and sweatshirts.

Me: why do the girls get to wear skirts with no tights and short sleeves but the boys don't?

Head: It looks unprofessional when boys wear shorts/short sleeves.

Me: So do all your male teachers also need to wear long sleeves and blazers all year because you know, they're actually at work where they're paid to be professional.

Head: ....

(Male member of non-teaching staff walks past in smart shorts and a short sleeve shirt)

Me: ....... (embarrassed for the Head)

I think uniforms fine but there should be more flexibility- polo tops, short sleeved shirts and shorts etc can't see the problem with whatever time of the year!

My dd has just started year 7 and would love to be able to wear shorts in this heat. She is a very hot child and wasn't impressed she may have had to wear her blazer all day. Fortunately the school have said blazers on to and from school, and in the corridors. She has short sleeved shirts. She has refused, for now, having long sleeved shirts and having a jumper (not mandatory uniform).
She still came home from school very red in the face and was changed in minutes!