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Boy wears skirt in shorts ban row
A TEENAGE boy forbidden from wearing shorts as part of his uniform during the current heatwave has exploited the sexual equality rule book and turned up for classes in a skirt.
Billy White, 13, who attends Silverdale School in Sheffield took the unorthodox step because the school's uniform policy does not allow boys to wear shorts, regardless of how high the temperatures climb. So Billy, who lives in Grange Cliffe Close, Millhouses, borrowed a skirt from a female classmate and started wearing that instead.
Headteacher Helen Storey accepts the current uniform policy excludes shorts but said the school was willing to consult on the issue, through the proper channels of the School Council.
She denied Billy's decision had caused a confrontation and said: "If Billy wants to wear a skirt he is welcome to."
But Billy's mother, Jane, said: "It is crazy that they will allow him to wear a skirt and face ridicule but will not allow him to wear shorts. It is disappointing.
"We fully agree with school uniform, but this is unfair to the boys. Billy overheats very quickly and suffers from dehydration and headaches and he felt this was the only way to go."
Some boys had ignored school rules and worn shorts, but she had written to the school to ask for permission and had the request rejected, she said.
Today she was due to meet with Mrs Storey to try to find a solution to the issue. She said it had been raised previously in the summer, but then forgotten as the holiday started.
YOUR VIEWS
Sally James, Guildford: "I agree with Sarah. A school could introduce kilts both for boys and girls, a thinner one for the summer and thicker one for the winter! It would be smart, comfortable and probably healther than trousers for both sexes. Let's start a campaign now!"
John Seares Murray, Holmfirth: "It's not only this school that bans shorts. Our local Probus club passed, without prior notice, a new rule that shorts were not to be worn. I, the only habitual shorts wearer, was obviously being discriminated against. Rather than kow-tow to this dictat I resigned.... My sympathies are with Billy White. Good lad- keep it up!"
Helen Harris, Sutton-in-Craven: "Billy's experience is similar to my son's. Although in year 13 where they don't have to wear school uniform, he was told he could not wear shorts, which being down to the knee were longer than most girls skirts!"
R Hamilton, London: "Well done Billy for highlighting how absurd and archaic rules like this are. Sadly, when he leaves school this sort of thing will probably get worse for him. I work in a hot office and have to wear shirt, tie, shoes and trousers. Women here are allowed to wear tee shirts, shorts or dresses and flip-flops. We don't work in a customer facing role and I feel that this amounts to sexual discrimination."
Sarah Liddington, Brighton: "I fully support him, if the school is silly enough to ban shorts. There is no reason that he should be stopped if he doesn't mind the teasing. A skirt is probably more healthy as well. Our son developed a rash from getting to hot and sweaty, he would be better off in a skirt in this weather!"
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
