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Schoolboy in a skirt: Pupil protests at rule
It’s not necessarily a photo Chris Whitehead’s parents will be framing and keeping on the mantelpiece.
But they are certainly proud of him. The 12-year-old wore a skirt to school yesterday to protest against ‘discriminatory’ rules which ban boys from wearing shorts.He says it is unfair that girls can change into skirts during the hot weather, while boys have to swelter in long trousers.
Skirting the issue: 12-year-old Chris Whitehead wore the skirt to school in protest at not being allowed to wear shorts in the summer monthsTaking a stand: Chris Whitehead, 12, who sits on the school’s council with supporters at Impington Village College, near Cambridge
This, he says, affects their concentration and ability to learn.
The schoolboy is taking advantage of a ‘silly loophole’ in the uniform policy at Impington Village College, near Cambridge, that means boys can wear skirts as the school would be guilty of discrimination if it tried to stop them.
‘In the summer months, girl students are allowed to wear skirts but boys are not allowed to wear shorts,’ Chris explained yesterday before his protest.
Making a stand: Chris, who is in year 8, has said he is outraged by the shorts ban and hopes to have it overturned
Making a stand: Chris, who is in year 8, has said he is outraged by the shorts ban and hopes to have it overturnedSkirting around the issue: Chris, who is in Year 8, said he wearing long trousers in summer affects boys’ ability to concentrate
‘It discriminates against boys. I will march in a skirt with other boys waving banners and making a lot of noise.
AND THE RULES ON UNIFORM ARE …Students at Impington Village College must obey the ‘Look Smart’ uniform policy at all times.
The policy states students must wear ‘plain black tailored trousers or knee-length skirts without slits’ but does not specify a gender.
This means shorts are banned by their omission.
The uniform policy also states skirts should be ‘free moving not tight against the legs, and trousers should be neither tight nor baggy’.
Jeans, corduroys, cargos with pockets, drainpipes, leggings or capri pants are all banned.
Pupils can wear one pair of discreet stud earrings, no bangles or rings, necklaces must not visible and no more than one watch should be worn.
Discreet make-up is permitted but teachers have the power to instruct students to remove excessive make-up and nail polish.
Teachers also have the power to make students tie back hair for health and safety reasons.
Coats, scarves, gloves and hats can be worn to and from College but not in lessons or the library. Denim, sweatshirts or “hoodies” are not permitted.
Plain black sensible footwear must be worn with no logos, coloured flares, coloured stitching and no high heels or boots, or sandals.
Tights must be plain, opaque, black or flesh-coloured and socks worn with skirts must be plain in colour and ankle length.
Belts must be plain, narrow, black, and fitted through belt loops of trousers.Pupils are also ordered to wear sky blue polo shirts or sweatshirts bearing the school’s logo.
‘I will be wearing the skirt at school all day in protest at the uniform policy and addressing the assembly with the school council.’
The year 8 pupil, who lives in nearby Histon, added: ‘Wearing a skirt is just like wearing shorts with a gap in the middle. I don’t feel silly at all. I don’t embarrass easily.’
The 1,368-pupil school, which was classed as good in its last Ofsted inspection in 2006, imposed the ban two years ago after a consultation with parents and teachers. Its ‘Look Smart’ dress code states students must wear ‘plain black tailored trousers or knee-length skirts without slits’ – but does not specify gender.
This means that while shorts are prohibited because they are not mentioned, girls – and boys – are free to wear skirts as long as they are ‘free moving, not tight against the legs’.
Chris borrowed a skirt from his sister Joanna, 11, and was accompanied by 30 supporters waving placards saying, ‘Cool shorts, not hot pants’, ‘Shorts for the long-term’ and ‘What’s wrong with my legs?’
And he said he intends to continue wearing the outfit.
His mother, Liz, 50, a maths teacher, said: ‘I’m delighted that Chris is taking action on what he believes in – which the school actually encourages, so he is only doing what he is taught.’
And his father, Brian, 48, who owns a publishing company, added: ‘It’s a creative and imaginative idea. I was worried about him getting picked on but he just shrugged his shoulders.’ Headmaster Robert Campbell said: ‘Our uniform policy does not state girls’ and boys’ uniforms because we can’t be discriminatory, so Chris is perfectly within his rights to wear a skirt.
‘What he has done is raise the issue in an entirely legitimate way. I think it will be right to start thinking about uniform again in September.’
An Equality and Human Rights Commission spokesman said: ‘It’s not possible to say if different uniform policies for boys and girls is or is not lawful, as it’s not been tested in the courts.’ But schools ‘should be flexible when considering students’ needs’, he added.
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3 Replies
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Good on the lad !
To emphasise the gender equality of the school rules he could wear a bra and tights as well – thats the way the rules are framed
As I read it shorts are banned for both genders but skirts are not …
Seriously,I remember going to a bloody church school where we had to wear full suits all through summer as shorts were “only for young boys “
God was that a painfull time in summer !
As a school boy I used to reflect often on the hypocrisy of society when I saw boys from a more exclusive school walking around in Kilts during cadet day – but this was excused as “being a scottish tradition “.Mind you, it didnt stop comments from mothers there about how good their boys looked in kilts ! Ah, double standards are so wonderful .Lets hope more and more boys start wearing skirts to schools
SUzz -
I had the opposite experience when I went to NZ as a 14 yr old. In Sydney we had to wear long slacks and a blazer ( or a cadet army uniform- I am a returned serviceman!!!) but in CH-CH , when it was a huge frost, riding a bike to school, we had to wear shorts and a daggy grey jumper and a cap like a cub cap…I felt like “the Borstal boy” but without the cocoa!( there is one for the lovers of classic literature!)
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Love-it, love-it, love-it, ………….
So if a guy has boobs he has to wear a bra.
Not that sperm matters to much for TG’s. It is true that overheating the male groin reduces sperm as in wearing pants. But if a male wears a flowing skirt the groin is cool and hence more sperm. Vote guys for skirts. A little step in the desired direction.
Jeorjette
