Boys not skirting uniform issue
A group of boys from Bath have claimed a victory after wearing skirts to school in protest at their limited legwear options. Ralph Allen School’s uniform policy states pupils must wear trousers or skirts. But now head teacher Andy Greenhough said the secondary school is exploring the option of adding shorts to the uniform. It comes after more than 10 boys pulled the stunt of wearing skirts on Wednesday. One of the pupils told our sister website Bath Live that trousers were uncomfortable to wear during this week’s heatwave and could be a distraction to their work. They argued it could affect their academic performance and that they wore skirts “to prove a point” rather than “a fuss”. The boys borrowed the skirts from friends and family members. The pupil said their teachers’ reaction was “mixed”. Following their protest, Mr Greenhough said pupils have been given the option of wearing their PE kit, which includes shorts, to school. He said: “Actually it’s a great thing. “We have gender-neutral uniform, so there’s no boys or girls, and boys have always been allowed to wear them (skirts). “It has been hot weather, so we’ve given the option that students can wear their full PE kit or school uniform to school, so it’s their choice. “We are exploring this week about if we can have tailored shorts that could be an option to the uniform.” Mr Greenhough, who became head teacher on January 1, added that “society has changed” and that nowadays it’s acceptable for both boys and girls to wear skirts. The incident is not the first time Ralph Allen School’s uniform has become the topic of debate. Last June, the Claverton Down Road school made headlines when it sent a Facebook message urging girls to wear skirts at “the correct length”. Then the school said it “targets one thing at a time” when tackling uniform issues. At the time of publishing, the school website reads: “Students MUST WEAR BOTH the Ralph Allen School tailored jacket and matching tailored trousers or the matching tailored skirt, a suit, as the main item of their uniform. “School skirts must be worn at the correct length, and must not be rolled up.” It adds: “During periods of excessively warm weather/temperatures the school may temporarily suspend the necessity to wear a jacket for school.”