A 15-year-old boy wears a skirt to school because rules forbid him from wearing shorts – forcing teachers to turn around as his proud mum calls him a ‘legend’.
- Joe Stratton was told summer uniform shorts were only for the summer term
- He was then informed that, according to policy, he had a choice of pants or a skirt.
A 15-year-old boy who wore a skirt to school because rules banned wearing shorts has forced teachers to turn around, with his proud parents hailing him as a “legend”.
Joe Stratton’s protest at Stafford School in Caterham, Surrey, has led to a temporary change to its uniform policy which will allow shorts to be worn in hot weather outside the summer term.
Joe returned to school on Tuesday in his summer uniform shorts, but was told it was only for the summer term, according to his mother.
Instead, the teen was told that the school’s uniform policy meant he had a choice of pants or a skirt.
The Year 11 student opted for the latter option and wore a skirt to school on Wednesday and Thursday to beat the summer heatwave.
Joe Stratton returned to school Tuesday in his summer uniform shorts, but was told it was only for the summer term, according to his mother. Instead, the teenager was told that the school’s uniform policy meant he had a choice between pants or a skirt.
He also planned to do it, if necessary, “any day he was too hot to wear pants,” said his mother, Jo Suleyman.
“He said most of his teachers didn’t notice and didn’t say anything at all. Well, they must have noticed it – or they supported it,” the 38-year-old claimed.
“I don’t think they expected him to actually do it.”
Joe’s father Ronnie Stratton described his son as a “legend” and said he was “extremely proud” of the youngster.
He added: “At first he thought he was going to be made a fool of and have the Mickey taken away.
“But, like I told him, at the end of the day you stand up for what you believe in. Why should he go to school in a hot, uncomfortable environment and then try to function at school?” To function and be uncomfortable and hot, I don’t think that’s fair.
Joe’s protest at Stafford School in Caterham, Surrey, is understood to have resulted in a change to the uniform policy which will allow shorts to be worn in hot weather outside the summer term.
Jo added that she had only heard her son’s story, but that “most of the teachers in his classes were very proud of him for finding a peaceful way to prove his point, which did no harm.” to anyone and made a good point.”
The Stafford School uniform policy details two options for students in Years 7 to 10, Uniform A or Uniform B, as well as a uniform for Year 11 students.
Jo informed SurreyLive that on the second day her son wore a skirt, she was told the children could wear shorts on Friday.
The Burntwood Lane school confirmed it sent a letter to parents on Thursday asking them to wear summer uniform.
School principal Jeff Place said in the letter: “The current intention is to return to normal uniform from Tuesday September 12 with a drop in temperatures.
“We will carry out a more formal review of the uniforms in due course, particularly in relation to the shorts forming part of Uniform A for all periods of the year.”
