The protest forced the school to temporarily backtrack on its uniform policy
The boys on their way to school amid sweltering temperatures on Thursday, July 9(Image: Supplied)
A Nottingham school has been forced to temporarily backtrack on its uniform policy after a group of more than 20 boys were sent home for wearing shorts.
The teenage pupils staged the protest at Farnborough Spencer Academy, in Clifton, amid sweltering temperatures during the country’s latest heatwave.
Turning up for classes in smart shorts on Thursday, July 9, a day when the mercury hit 33C in Nottingham, the boys were ordered to go back home and change into trousers, according to parents.
Marie Cassidy, whose 14-year-old son was one of the boys involved, said she and other mums and dads were “behind them all the way”.
“They looked really smart. How a pair of shorts will stop them from learning, I don’t know,” said the 43-year-old.
“It’s not like they’re boys wearing hot pants. They’re shorts down to their knees.
“I’m really happy for them all. I’m happy they went in shorts.”
Ms Cassidy described the school as hypocritical for enforcing the trouser rule, but allowing teachers to wear shorts and dresses, and claimed the decision to allow girls to wear skirts proved double standards.
“They didn’t want to go to school in trousers. If girls can wear skirts, why can’t they wear shorts?” she said.
“Teachers are in shorts and flowy summer dresses.”
Farnborough Spencer Academy was forced into a U-turn(Image: Google)
After refusing to return to school, and reportedly telling teachers they planned to turn up in skirts the next day, the group of boys forced Farnborough Spencer Academy into a U-turn.
On Thursday afternoon, parents were sent a message saying pupils were allowed to wear “loose-fitting shorts”.
“Students are still expected to wear a white school shirt, and those who prefer may continue to wear their usual school trousers or skirt. Students arriving in inappropriate attire will be asked to return home to change,” the message, seen by the Nottingham Post, reads.
However, the legwear reprieve was only limited to Friday, July 10, something parents have criticised given the heatwave is due to stretch into next week.
One father, who says his year 7 daughter was sent home on Thursday for wearing shorts instead of a skirt, said the school was “neglecting the children’s’ health and safety”.
“If I think it’s unsuitable for my child to go in, that is my decision. The UK is only going to get warmer,” said the man who wished to remain anonymous.
Farnborough Spencer Academy was contacted for comment.