Boys are wearing skirts to school in the heatwave in protest at schools’ “no shorts” policies. With temperatures in the high twenties this week they said they had been sweltering in uniform black trousers.
Not being allowed to wear shorts, they have gone into lessons in skirts, which are part of the school uniform, to stay cooler. Oscar Ralph, 13, went into Ysgol Bro Dinefwr in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, wearing one of his sister Lottie's grey school uniform skirts today (June 15) saying no-one minded and it was easier to work without "constantly sitting in trousers." To get our free daily briefing on the biggest issues affecting the nation, Wales Matters here
Boys at Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, in Llanelli, also went in wearing skirts. Levi Smith, 15, said it was too hot to concentrate wearing trousers and he was sitting important year 10 GCSE exams.
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"It was frustrating because I could not concentrate it was so hot. I had exams today, yesterday and more tomorrow," said Levi. "Six of us went in in skirts we borrowed from friends. The school didn't say anything. We all just carried on as normal. It felt much nicer and more comfortable in the heat wearing a skirt. No-one made fun of us.
"I had a Welsh exam today and it was fine. We are not allowed to wear shorts but they can't stop us wearing uniform skirts." Levi's mum said parents had asked the school if their sons could wear shorts but had been told no. She said they risked detention and being sent home if they didn't comply and she would rather Levi wore a skirt than missed school or couldn't concentrate sitting his exams.
Levi's friend Dainton Harries, 14, also wore a skirt. He hopes the school will change its no shorts policy.
"It's been way too hot in black trousers. We aren't breaking the rules wearing skirts. It was cooler wearing a skirt and I felt I could concentrate better. Most of the teachers told us they thought it was a good idea. I had Welsh literature GCSE and it was easier to work not being too hot. I have another science GCSE tomorrow and I'm wearing a skirt again."
Dainton's parents, Rhian and Kalam, said that when they asked the school if he could wear shorts they too were told no.
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"They have a no shorts policy, even though we have asked for a flexible approach. They won't allow them to go in in their PE kit shorts and the poor kids are boiling," said Rhian. "They borrowed skirts off girlfriends, but I would quite happily have gone out and bought Dainton a skirt to wear. He is doing GCSEs and couldn't concentrate because it's been so hot this week.
"He sat his Welsh literature exam today wearing a skirt. I am happy about that."
Dainton's dad, Kalam, urged schools to be more flexible about what all pupils could wear in hot weather. He said he didn't understand the reason not to allow PE shorts. "I am glad my son has the confidence to do this. We rang the school about shorts and they said no. I support him in doing this."
Oscar said he was the only boy at his school in a skirt but teachers and pupils at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr were supportive and he did not get in trouble or laughed at.
"We have asked if we can wear shorts and it's their decision that we can't. So I borrowed my sister's skirt. There was a bit of fun and jokes about it, but nothing nasty. The teachers said nothing. It was a lot easier to work not being distracted and so hot. In trousers I was constantly sweating," he said.
Oscar's parents, Hannah and Andrew, admitted they were “a bit apprehensive” when their son told them what he was wearing to school. After talking to him, they supported his decision, saying the teenager loved school and didn’t want to cause any trouble, but was too hot in trousers.
“We were not sure if he would get in trouble or made fun of,” said Hannah, “Shorts are not allowed, but skirts are part of the uniform, so they can't stop him.
She said Oscar borrowed his eight year-old sister Lottie’s grey primary school uniform skirt, which was the right colour, but had to be fastened with a safety pin. He wore it with his usual school shoes, shirt and tie.
“I know parents have asked about wearing shorts and have been told no. It’s been too hot for trousers, especially black ones," said Hannah. “He looks a bit like a Celt in a shirt, tie and skirt. He walked the 1.6 miles to school on his own as usual, dressed in a skirt, it’s very brave. His friends know about it. They weren’t keen to do it too, but I hope he’s started a trend.
“I can’t think of a rational reason why boys are not allowed to wear shorts when girls are allowed to wear skirts. It doesn't seem logical. It’s a lovely school and he loves it there. It’s a very nice school and proof of that is that he’s not been reprimanded for wearing a skirt.”
Oscar’s dad Andrew, said he was proud of his son for taking a stand. He admitted he doubted he would have done the same as a teenager. “He has got some bottle. I don’t think I could have done this at his age. I am really proud of him. It’s crazy not allowing them to wear shorts to school in this weather."
Andrew, 38, who works in finance, said most work places he knew of had relaxed their dress codes to account for the weather. He thought schools should too.
School uniforms are a matter for individual school governing bodies, which means some neighbouring schools in the same local education authority area might have had different rules for what pupils were allowed to wear . Parents at two schools in Bridgend Local Education Authority have complained this week after their children were given detentions for wearing shorts or too short skirts.
The Headteacher of Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, Arwyn Thomas, said: “At Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth, as with most secondary schools across Carmarthenshire, we expect all our pupils to wear the formal school uniform. As a school community, we will continue to work together to monitor the situation and weather patterns carefully. If there are any changes, parents will be informed through our usual communication channels.”
Ysgol Bro Dinefwr was approached for comment through Carmarthenshire Council.
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