Teenage boys wear skirts to school to protest against 'no shorts' policy

[Deleted]

https://www.theguardian.com/educatio...uniform-policy

Teenage boys wear skirts to school to protest against 'no shorts' policy

Dozens of pupils at Isca academy in Exeter stage uniform protest after school insists they wear trousers despite heatwave



Some had borrowed from girlfriends, others from sisters. A few had gone the extra mile and shaved their legs. When the Isca academy in Devon opened on Thursday morning, an estimated 30 boys arrived for lessons, heads held high, in fetching tartan-patterned skirts. The hottest June days since 1976 had led to a bare-legged revolution at the secondary school in Exeter.

As the temperature soared past 30C earlier this week, the teenage boys had asked their teachers if they could swap their long trousers for shorts. They were told no – shorts weren’t permitted under the school’s uniform policy.

When they protested that the girls were allowed bare legs, the school – no doubt joking – said the boys were free to wear skirts too if they chose. So on Wednesday, a handful braved the giggles and did so. The scale of the rebellion increased on Thurday, when at least 30 boys opted for the attire.

“Quite refreshing” was how one of the boys described the experience, pointing out that if even Royal Ascot had allowed racegoers in the royal enclosure to remove their jackets, then the school ought to relax its dress code. Another said he rather enjoyed the “nice breeze” his skirt had afforded him.

A third, tall boy said he was told his short skirt exposed too much hairy leg. Some of the boys visited a shop on their way to Isca – the name the Romans gave to Exeter – to pick up razors to make sure they did not fall foul of any beauty police.

Ironically, the temperature had dropped in Exeter to a more manageable 20C, but some boys said they had enjoyed the freedom afforded by the skirts and that they might continue.

The school said it was prepared to think again in the long term. The headteacher, Aimee Mitchell, said: “We recognise that the last few days have been exceptionally hot and we are doing our utmost to enable both students and staff to remain as comfortable as possible.

“Shorts are not currently part of our uniform for boys, and I would not want to make any changes without consulting both students and their families. However, with hotter weather becoming more normal, I would be happy to consider a change for the future.”

It was too late. The revolution was picked up by media organisations across the globe, and Devon county council was forced to help the school out with inquiries. A spokesperson said: “About 30 boys arrived at school this morning wearing school skirts. None of the boys have been penalised – no one was put in isolation or detention for wearing a skirt.”

The mother of one of the boys who began the protest said she was proud of him. Claire Lambeth, 43, said her son Ryan, 15, had come home earlier in the week complaining about the heat. “He said it was unbearable. I spoke to a teacher to ask about shorts and she said it was school policy [that they could not be worn]. I did say this was exceptional weather, but they were having none of it. If girls can wear skirts, why can’t boys wear shorts?

“Ryan came up with the idea of wearing a skirt, so that evening we borrowed one. He wore it the next day – as did five other boys. Then this morning … I didn’t expect it to take off like that. The school is being silly really – this is exceptional weather. I was very proud of Ryan. I think it was a great idea.”

Another mother said: “My 14-year-old son wanted to wear shorts. The headteacher told them: ‘Well, you can wear a skirt if you like’ – but I think she was being sarcastic. However, children tend to take you literally, and because she told them it was OK, there was nothing she could do as long as they were school skirts.”

A third mother said: “Children also don’t like injustice. The boys see the female teachers in sandals and nice cool skirts and tops while they are wearing long trousers and shoes and the older boys have to wear blazers. They just think it’s unfair that they can’t wear shorts in this heat.”

There were signs that the revolution might be spreading. The Guardian has heard of at least one more school in Wiltshire where one boy turned up in a skirt, although it did not go down quite so well with his friends.

And schoolboys were not the only ones making controversial dress choices because of the heat. Michael Wood, who works as a porter at Watford general hospital, claimed he was facing disciplinary action from his employers Medirest for rolling his trousers up to try to cool down. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on the case, but said: “The health and safety of our colleagues is always our number one priority.”

What happened to summer school uniforms? Matthew Easter, managing director of the schoolwear supplier Trutex, said they had become less popular for reasons of economy. “It’s really up to the individual school to decide, but the headteacher is in a difficult position. A decade or so ago, summer wear was more popular, but there’s been a change recently to try to make uniforms as economical as possible. Summer uniforms are only worn for a matter of weeks.

“If parents haven’t bought uniform shorts, then some children may feel disadvantaged, so perhaps the decision in this case is simply down to fairness.”

It may be that the weather will solve the problem for the school. The Exeter-based Met Office – situated up the road from the school – predicts pleasant, but not searing, temperatures over the coming week.

[zenkai]

I see nothing wrong with this.

[Orby]

well thats one way of getting around it. At least you have friends to do it with.

For everyone to say to come in and wear skirts and then find out you are the only one that did, that could be mighty embarrassing. So credit to them all for going along with it :P

[MisterBigglez]

I am not sure on the uniforms given out at that patricular school but when I was in Secondary School (ages 11-16) we had a separate P.E uniform which had shorts. We just stuck our P.E shorts on if there was a heatwave and if any of the teachers said anything we just responded with "This is official school uniform so it's allowed" It didn't match cause the colours were completely different but it beats burning up anyday.

[Santti]

Heh, a great and fun way to protest.

Why are shorts banned again?

Also, school uniforms are retarded. Glad we never had any of those in our schools.

[zenkai]

well thats one way of getting around it. At least you have friends to do it with.

For everyone to say to come in and wear skirts and then find out you are the only one that did, that could be mighty embarrassing. So credit to them all for going along with it :P

Hell no, I would have owned it with bride. /confidence.

[Gelantious]

It's been done in the workplace as well.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...horts-ban.html

[Venarissa]

What a great way to effectively protest, I love it. Hopefully the attention from it will encourage the staff to speed-up the process of affording boys more comfortable uniform attire for unusually hot weather.

[Orlong]

In this case, I feel it's a warranted protest. There's no reason boys shouldn't be allowed to wear shorts in school, especially in hot temperatures.

I disagree. They already installed air conditioning in all of the schools so the little snowflakes dont melt (No wonder why prperty taxes are so high). They can wear slacks and be perfectly cool. When I was in school we never had AC (didnt want to rape the taxpayers of millions to install AC) and we did just fine with open windows and fans. These millennials and generation Z snowflakes are so spoiled its pathetic.

It was only 86 degrees for crying out loud. I could MAYBE support it if it was 95 or 100 degrees and they didnt have air conditioning, but even then I had plenty of days like that in school and survived just fine. In fact hot temperatures are almost impossible to fall asleep in so it keeps the students awake and attentive

That being said, the girls should also but wearing slacks too. Teenage boys are easily distracted by bare legs and trying to get a sneak peek up the skirt when they sit down. Its a distraction and obstacle to learning.

[Eleccybubb]

So it's ok for girls to wear skirts but not boys to wear shorts when we are having one of the warmest Summers here in the UK?

Alright then.

I remember back in High School when we had some awful June weather we all got sent home for wearing shorts. Like really? You would rather send us home than let us stay cool and give us an education?

[De Lupe]

This is how a protest is done correctly.

[Damajin]

Key word: boys.

No man worth calling a man is going to be caught wearing a skirt, for any reason.

[Moralgy]

Clever boys

[De Lupe]

Key word: boys.

No man worth calling a man is going to be caught wearing a skirt, for any reason.

Say that to the Scottish.

[Dextroden]

Girls would have to wear a burka for boys to not be distracted... and even then, I imagine it will still be like this:

I'm confident that's what happens. That's why ankles and upper arms use to be tantalizing.

[Lochton]

In this case, I feel it's a warranted protest. There's no reason boys shouldn't be allowed to wear shorts in school, especially in hot temperatures.

Even so, the UK as well are experiencing quite high temperatures.

Never liked the idea of uniforms, especially not if they aren't fitted for the season..

[Damajin]

Say that to the Scottish.

I have. Still here.

[Elim Garak]

School uniforms are so fascist.

[coprax]

I disagree. They already installed air conditioning in all of the schools so the little snowflakes dont melt (No wonder why prperty taxes are so high). They can wear slacks and be perfectly cool. When I was in school we never had AC (didnt want to rape the taxpayers of millions to install AC) and we did just fine with open windows and fans. These millennials and generation Z snowflakes are so spoiled its pathetic.

It was only 86 degrees for crying out loud. I could MAYBE support it if it was 95 or 100 degrees and they didnt have air conditioning, but even then I had plenty of days like that in school and survived just fine. In fact hot temperatures are almost impossible to fall asleep in so it keeps the students awake and attentive

That being said, the girls should also but wearing slacks too. Teenage boys are easily distracted by bare legs and trying to get a sneak peek up the skirt when they sit down. Its a distraction and obstacle to learning.

Are you talking about the US? Because in Europe air conditioning is not as common. I have never seen a school with ac, and many office buildings don't have it either.

And when you live in a place like california or arizona, 30°C may not seem a lot to you, but if you are not used to these temperatures, it feels a lot hotter than you might think.

[Salty Maud]

What's the whole deal with "school uniforms" anyway? What purpose do they have and why is it okay for school to police what you can and cannot wear?