Boys are wearing skirts to school in the ongoing heatwave in protest at “no shorts” policies, which they say treat them unfairly.
Temperatures have been in the high 20s this week across the country. Male pupils at two schools said they had asked to wear shorts rather than long trousers but were told no.
But with the school rules stating that skirts or trousers are acceptable, three boys decided to use the loophole to make a point that the rule is unfair - and siad that they felt more comfortable in a skirt.
Oscar Ralph, 13, a pupil of Ysgol Bro Dinefwr in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales wore his sister Lottie's grey skirts on Thursday. He said no one minded what he was wearing and he was happier than in trousers, reports Wales Online.
Oscar said he was the only boy at his school in a skirt but fellow pupils and staff were supportive and he didn't get laughed at.
He said: "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, supported his decision after discussing it with him. They said he loved school and didn’t want to cause any disruption, but his trousers were too hot to be comfortable.
“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.
Boys at Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, in Llanelli, also went in wearing skirts. Levi Smith is sitting his year 10 exams. He said not having to sit sweltering in black trousers helped the 15-year-old concentrate.
He said: "It was frustrating because I could not concentrate it was so hot. I had exams today, yesterday and more tomorrow.
"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."
After requesting that they could wear shorts, Levi's mum said they risked detention and being sent home - so she said she'd prefer Levi to wear a skirt than miss school or struggle to concentrate.
Dainton Harries, 14, a friend of Levi's, also wore a skirt. He said: "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.
Rhian, Daiton's mother, said: "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.
"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."
Kalam added: "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."
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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