Boys wear skirts to school in protest at ‘no shorts’ policies after ‘sweltering’ in trousers during heatwave – as parents urge teachers to be more flexible

• Oscar Ralph, 13, went into Ysgol Bro Dinefwr in Llandeilo wearing his sister’s skirt
• Six boys at Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, in Llanelli, also went in dressed in skirts
• One said it was too hot to concentrate in trousers while sitting GCSE exams

Boys in Wales have started wearing skirts to school during the current heatwave in protest at their schools’ ‘no shorts’ policies. 

With temperatures now firmly above 25C (77F) across much of the UK this week, pupils said they had been sweltering in black trousers during classes. 

Some have therefore turned up to lessons wearing skirts instead, which are also part of the school uniform, with the support of their parents who have called on teachers to be more flexible with the dress code.  

Oscar Ralph, 13, went into Ysgol Bro Dinefwr in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, wearing one of his sister Lottie’s grey school uniform skirts yesterday saying no-one minded and it was easier to work without ‘constantly sitting in trousers’.

Six boys at Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, in Llanelli, also went in wearing skirts, with one pupil, Levi Smith, 15, saying it was too hot to concentrate wearing trousers and he was sitting important year 10 GCSE exams.

Boys in Wales have started wearing skirts to school during the current heatwave in protest at their schools’ ‘no shorts’ policies (pictured Oscar Ralph from Ysgol Bro Dinefwr in Llandeilo)

Six boys at Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, in Llanelli, including Dainton Harries (pictured), 14, went into school wearing skirts

Levi 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.’ 

Levi’s mum said parents had asked the school if their sons could wear shorts but had been told no. 

She said they risked detention and being sent home if they didn’t comply and she would rather Levi wore a skirt than missed school or couldn’t concentrate sitting his exams.

Levi’s friend Dainton Harries, 14, also wore a skirt. He hopes the school will change its no shorts policy.

‘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 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.

Dainton Harris’ (pictured) parents, Rhian and Kalam, said that when they asked the school if he could wear shorts they too were told no

Dainton’s friend Levi Smith (pictured), 15, also wore a skirt and said it was too hot to concentrate wearing trousers and he was sitting important year 10 GCSE exams

‘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.’

Dainton’s dad, Kalam, urged schools to be more flexible about what all pupils could wear in hot weather and said he didn’t understand the reason not to allow PE shorts. 

‘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.’

Oscar said he was the only boy at his school in a skirt but teachers and pupils at Ysgol Bro Dinefwr were supportive and he did not get in trouble or laughed at.

He added: ‘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.’

Oscar’s parents, Hannah and Andrew, admitted they were ‘a bit apprehensive’ when their son told them what he was wearing to school. 

After talking to him, they supported his decision, saying the teenager loved school and didn’t want to cause any trouble, but was too hot in trousers.

Hannah said: ‘We were not sure if he would get in trouble or made fun of. 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, and he wore it with his usual school shoes, shirt and tie.

 Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, in Llanelli where six boys attended lessons wearing skirts

Ysgol Bro Dinefwr inin Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, where Oscar Ralph, 13, yesterday went into class wearing a skirt

Hannah added: ‘I know parents have asked about wearing shorts and have been told no. It’s been too hot for trousers, especially black ones.

‘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 and admitted he doubted he would have done the same as a teenager. 

He said: ‘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 and thought schools should do so too. 

School uniforms are a matter for individual school governing bodies, which means some neighbouring schools in the same local education authority area might have had different rules for what pupils were allowed to wear.

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.’

MailOnline has contacted Ysgol Bro Dinefwrhas for comment.  

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