A school has revised its strict uniform rules after a row erupted when boys were sent home for wearing shorts on one of the hottest days of the year.
Moffat Academy has changed its rigid trousers or skirt code and now their students can wear whatever is smart and comfortable as long as they are in school colours.
In a Zoom meeting parents of pupils at the school in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland, were told about the relaxation of the uniform policy.
They were informed that as long as pupils wear a white shirt and school tie, they now have other choices available to them - including shorts.
Parent Teacher Association chairman, Alistair Tait, told the Daily Record : “It’s a really good outcome for everybody and changing the policy was the right thing to do.
"There had been some strong feelings about it, but after a consultation with young people, staff and parents, the dress policy has now been updated.”
Earlier this month, Shane Richardson turned up for class wearing his sister’s skirt in protest after he and his friends had been sent home the day before for wearing shorts in blistering heat.
They were told by staff the dress code was strictly either trousers or a skirt.
Shane, 16, said: “There’s no air conditioning switched on in the classrooms just now because of Covid so it’s really hot.
“Like a few others, I was sent home for wearing shorts so I decided to start wearing my sister Lexi’s skirt.
“The teachers haven’t said anything to me about wearing a skirt and neither has the taxi driver who picks us up and takes us to school in the morning.”
His mother, Hayley, 34, had also described the strict rule as “ridiculous”.
A council spokesman said the uniform policy had been in place for several years but that following feedback from young people, parents and carers, the school decided it was time to review it and make changes.
