Victory for boys who wore skirts in protest as school introduces shorts into summer uniform

The school where boys wore skirts in protest after being banned from wearing shorts during the heatwave has said it will make amendments to its summer uniform.

Subject to a consultations, shorts will be included. 

The pupils from ISCA Academy in Exeter, Devon, had asked whether they could make alterations to their uniform.

One of the boys who took part in the protest on Thursday said: "We're not allowed to wear shorts, and I'm not sitting in trousers all day, it's a bit hot."

Now in a statement the school said: "Shorts are not currently part of our school uniform for boys.

"However, as summers are becoming hotter, shorts will be introduced as part of our school uniform next year having first consulted with students and parents.

"We feel that introducing a change in uniform part way through this year would put undue pressure on some of our families.

"In the meantime, our summer uniform allows students not to wear their jumper or blazer.

"Also, recognising the recent temperatures, students have also been allowed not to wear ties, to have the top button on their shirts undone, and to wear their shirts untucked if they are feeling very hot."

On Friday, the fourth day of protest, the students turned up again wearing skirts in order to force the school to relax its strict dress codes.

The boys claimed that pupils from every year group were taking part in the protest on Friday, with around 50 believed to be wearing skirts.

A mother who has a 14-year-old son at ISCA college said: "My son wanted to wear shorts but was told he would be put in the isolation room for the rest of the week.

"The head teacher told them 'Well you can wear a skirt if you like' but I think she was being sarcastic.

"However children tend to take you literally and so five boys turned up in skirts today – and because she told them it was ok there was nothing she could do as long as they are school skirts.

"One of the five boys did get in trouble – because it was too short."

Another mother said: "It's horrendous that the school expected them to go to school in this week's heat in long trousers.

"I think it's great what the boys are doing this morning."