First NewsFirst TVSubscriptions

Home News

Friday, 20 May 2011


Boy wears skirt to school to protest uniform rules

Boy wears skirt to school to protest against uniform rules

A BOY wore a skirt to school in protest against rules saying boys couldn’t wear shorts.

After the hottest April on record, Chris Whitehead, 12, said it was too hot for trousers and was angry that he wasn’t allowed to wear shorts.

Now he is on a one man mission to change school rules on uniform at Impington Village College, near Cambridge, where he is a pupil.

Chris believes that forcing boys to wear long trousers in the summer months affects their concentration and ability to learn. He also said that the rules discriminated against boys – that means treated them differently and unfairly.

Chris wore the skirt at school all day and spoke at an assembly with the school council, wearing the skirt.

He said: “I looked up the uniform policy in my planner. It doesn’t say girls have to be the ones wearing skirts. It was a peaceful protest.

“There has been a bit of teasing but I don’t mind if people laugh at me,” he said. “I feel I am doing something that is good. I think people agree with me and I hope something will change.”

Chris’ mum, Liz, said she was proud of her son for “standing up for what he believes in”.

School friends also supported Chris waving banners which said: “Cool shorts not hot pants”.

It looks like the protest might have paid off with Chris’ school promising to look again at their school uniform policy.

Head teacher, Robert Campbell, said the ban on shorts had come in after discussions with pupils, teachers and parents two years ago.

He said: “The boys can wear a skirt to school because it doesn’t say they can’t in the uniform policy.

“Chris is a very bright pupil. I know he wants to go into politics and has got strong principles.”

Another teacher added that she thought Chris would be prime minister one day.

What do your school rules say?

Vote on our poll at www.firstnews.co.uk/polls to tell us what YOU think!

 CLICK ME!





What do you think? Leave a comment below to let us know!

Please note: All comments are moderated before they go live.
Offensive comments will not be published.


Did you like this? Why not give it a Thumbs Up!

10 Thumbs Up!

Give this article a Thumbs Up! by logging in
to your account or registering here.


13 Comments


You must be logged in to your account to add a comment about this article.


  • Cowspine8 (Age 11) wrote on Friday, 20 May 2011 @ 16:34

    He's v brave

  • Cowspine8 (Age 11) wrote on Friday, 20 May 2011 @ 16:34

    He's v brave

  • HollyMae (Age 14) wrote on Friday, 20 May 2011 @ 20:18

    That's a fair point! But the boys at my school are't allowed to wear shorts and the girls have to wear tights with skirts! xx

  • btconnect (Age 11) wrote on Saturday, 21 May 2011 @ 09:14

    he is awsome

  • IndigoWolf (Age 11) wrote on Saturday, 21 May 2011 @ 14:33

    Wow - one brave kid. I would do that if I was a boy and wasn't allowed to wear shorts^^

  • PlymDevil (Age 14) wrote on Saturday, 21 May 2011 @ 15:15

    I think that boy was very brave. Boys at my school aern't allowed to wear shorts and I think its unfair

  • heathy (Age 12) wrote on Wednesday, 25 May 2011 @ 18:43

    It's really unfair once you get out of primary it seems that no one is allowed to wear shorts

  • Laley (Age 12) wrote on Monday, 30 May 2011 @ 19:26

    At my current school (primary/middle) all the boys are allowed to wear shorts. But i dont know whether this changes at senondry school? Good On Ya Lad anyway, your really brave!

  • lizalaura (Age 11) wrote on Tuesday, 31 May 2011 @ 11:13

    go on why cant boys wear skirts

  • chocdragon (Age 12) wrote on Tuesday, 31 May 2011 @ 21:01

    Mostly, when you get to high school, it's either skirts or trousers. Good on him for standing up for what he believes in!

  • Przemek (Age 12) wrote on Friday, 3 June 2011 @ 10:30

    I like that boy he does what he thinks is the best:)

  • cinderella (Age 12) wrote on Friday, 3 June 2011 @ 11:36

    Good 4 him

  • sooty122 (Age 12) wrote on Sunday, 5 June 2011 @ 11:52

    yep i agree wiv cinderella, Prezemek and chocdragon.