School praised for adding shorts to uniform to stop boys sweltering in the heat

A high school has changed its uniform policy to allow boys to wear shorts as well as trousers.

At a time when schools across the country are being criticised for refusing to allow male pupils to wear shorts during the warm weather, Westhoughton High School has updated its policy. Parents were told about the move last month, with shorts now featuring on the official uniform list for the Bolton school.

It made the addition at the same time as ensuring that its uniform is gender neutral, with boys and girls able to choose from the same list.

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It had already relaxed the rules on blazers during warm weather, allowing students to leave them at home when it's particularly hot.

Neil Coe, headteacher at the Bolton Road school, said: "A parent asked me about shorts at transition last year and it seemed so sensible. We added shorts at the same time as ensuring our school uniform is gender neutral, which is also important to our young people.

"My school advisor once said 'do things that make sense, don't do things that don't make sense'. Shorts make sense."

Since the announcement, Mr Coe said there hasn't yet been too much need for the shorts, as the weather has cooled over recent weeks. But the option has been welcomed by families.

Parent Helen Mann, whose son in Year 10 and daughter starting Year 7 in September, praised the move.

She said: "With the weather warming up each year, as a parent I hated the thought of my son going to school in black trousers in 30+ degree heat. The change for them to wear shorts is the best decision they've made. As parents we very much welcome the change".

It comes as other schools have been criticised for refusing to allow boys to