Boys told they can wear skirts but not shorts at school in hot weather (2024)

Parents have been left baffled after a secondary school’s new uniform policy introduced a rule allowing boys to wear skirts – but retained a ban on them wearing shorts.

Wymondham High Academy in Norfolk introduced a new ‘gender neutral’ uniform policy after male pupils complained about being uncomfortable in trousers during the summer months.

Jonathan Rockey, the headteacher of the 1,705-pupil school, defended the change as ‘something we are very proud of’ and said parents had been consulted.

But one called the decision to relax enforce restrictions on shorts even when temperatures pass 30 degrees Celsius as ‘insane’.

They added: ‘The school appears to be deaf to parents clearly voicing concerns on this matter.

‘It is not in our children’s best interest to be overdressed and overheated in the summer.

‘This is not conductive to an effective learning environment and I believe it is a health and safety issue.’

Another parent said: ‘We have been repeatedly asking year after year for shorts to be added to the uniform.

‘This is because girls can currently wear a skirt in the summer but boys have to wear trousers all year around.

‘Every summer boys have found the heat hard to bear and so there have been repeated requests for shorts for both genders.

‘Offering a skirt as an option is not gender neutral. It would be gender neutral to offer both boys and girls the option of a skirt or shorts.

‘A skirt is an item of clothing traditionally associated with girls so although it is absolutely fine for a boy to wear a skirt, many boys and girls might feel uncomfortable about that and would choose to wear shorts.’

A third parent added: ‘I don’t have any issues with boys wearing skirts.

‘That isn’t the problem here. I’m sure many girls would also like the opportunity to wear shorts instead of trousers in hotter months.’

Mr Rockey said that a requirement for all pupils to wear blazers all year around had already been relaxed.

He said in a statement that the school had not ruled out further updating its uniform policy in the future.

Mr Rockey said: ‘Many parents were supportive of us considering a ‘summer uniform’, which we will consider for 2023-24.

‘In the short term, we have enabled pupils to remove their blazers during hot weather.

‘Changing everything about our uniform in one go, especially with the current financial concerns, would not be sensible so we are able to stage changes over a period of time.’

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Boys told they can wear skirts but not shorts at school in hot weather (2024)

FAQs

Why are boys wearing skirts to school? ›

A 13-year-old boy wore a skirt to school in protest at rules that do not allow them to wear shorts during hot weather. Oliver, who attends St Martin's School in Shropshire, said he thought it was unfair when some of his friends were given detention for wearing shorts.

Is it okay for boys to wear skirts? ›

Outside Western cultures, men's clothing commonly includes skirts and skirt-like garments; however, in the Americas and much of Europe, skirts are usually seen as feminine clothing and socially stigmatized for men and boys to wear, despite having done so for centuries.

Where do boys wear skirts in school? ›

both boys and girls put on skirt as their uniform. Yes, but there is a reason. Welcome to Yakasura Secondary School, located in Uganda and was founded in 1926. The reason why boys put on skirt. is because the school was founded by a Scottish man.

Can a boy wear a girl skirt? ›

There is nothing intrinsic bout skirts being only for females and it should be fine for boys to wear skirts as it is ok for girls to wear trousers. But in reality it would be quite odd so you need to understand why he want this.

Are shorts allowed at school? ›

It really depends on the school's dress code. Some schools are more lenient when it comes to allowing shorts, while others are more strict. If you're unsure, it's always best to err on the side of caution and dress in something that you know won't get you in trouble.

When did boys stop wearing skirts? ›

Breeching was the occasion when a small boy was first dressed in breeches or trousers. From the mid-16th century until the late 19th or early 20th century, young boys in the Western world were unbreeched and wore gowns or dresses until an age that varied between two and eight.

What is it called when a guy wears a skirt? ›

A kilt. (

The piece of cloth around the man's waist has been in existence for centuries and it's a symbol of masculinity. Many of us are accustomed to the idea of Scottish men wearing 'skirts' (kilts), however, there are several countries around the world where men do the same.

Are guys wearing skirts now? ›

It was only in the 18th Century that men in much of the Western world moved away from skirts, and they became known as a feminine item. Today, though, the skirt is hanging up in the wardrobes of men everywhere – whether Cena stans like it or not.

What do you wear under a skirt male? ›

That being said, I do wear either a black or white jockstrap or a "Sock" under certain skirts and/or for certain occasions. I make my own wraps and even a double layer of some fabrics can be, in the right light, a bit revealing so a little something underneath is appropriate.

What do you wear under a school uniform skirt? ›

depending on how lenient the uniform policy is at your school, there are a few things I can think of:
  • Wear black tights with black underwear so it blends in.
  • Wear spandex athletic shorts under your skirt (i do this every time i wear a skirt or a dress)
  • Wear normal shorts, if they are short enough to not be seen.
Mar 29, 2023

Do tomboys wear skirts? ›

While you don't have to ditch skirts and dresses entirely, tomboys generally wear pants whenever possible. Style your look around a pair of ripped jeans, comfy sweatpants, or even cargo pants.

Is it okay for a boy to dress like a girl? ›

Absolutely normal. If any boy or male wants to dress like girls or women, nothing in wrong about that. any boy feels happy and cheer after wearing female cloths then it's fine and good.

How to dress a boy like a girl? ›

Jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, rings, and clip-on earrings will add a feminine touch to the outfit. Wearing colorful clothes and a lot of jewelry can make a person look more feminine. If the boy is wearing a dress or skirt, you can have him wear tights to add color or design to his look.

Where can a guy wear a skirt? ›

Even nowadays, they are part of the traditional clothing of several cultures around the world.
  • Fiji — Sulu. © David Rogers / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images. ...
  • Ancient Egypt — Shendyt. © Shadowgate / Flickr, © CC BY 2.0. ...
  • Indonesia — Sarong. ...
  • Scotland — Kilt. ...
  • China — Hanfu. ...
  • Greece — Fustanella. ...
  • Myanmar — Longyi. ...
  • Japan — Hakama.

Do guys wear skirts now? ›

While a few celebrities, such as Brad Pitt and LA Lakers basketball player Russell Westbrook, have worn skirts to red carpet events, it's still vanishingly rare to see normal men wear normal skirts day to day.

Can boys wear girls clothes to school? ›

Even if most school dress codes do not have specific rules that stop students from wearing clothes usually worn by the opposite gender (think of how many girls wear “traditionally-male” clothes like pants, men's shirts or sneakers), boys who wear “improper” outfits are often sent home or placed in isolation because of ...

Are you allowed to wear skirts to school? ›

Under federal laws protecting against discrimination in education – including Title IX, Title VI, and the U.S. Constitution's equal protection guarantee, public schools cannot enforce a dress code based on gender- or race-based stereotypes about appropriate dress or appearance.

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