A schoolboy who has been allowed to wear a skirt into school says he's happy with his decision.
Thirteen-year-old Sydney Webster had been told he would be punished if he wore the skirt to Homewood School in Tenterden, Kent.
However, emboldened by positive online comments after the story broke he donned the uniform into school.
Sydney, who does not identify as transgender, says wearing feminine clothing is a choice made to express himself, reports Kent Live.
He says despite the school's initial protestations, nothing had subsequently been done when he wore his skirt to class last week.
He told Kent Live: "The school haven’t said anything about it. They didn’t bring it up at all, it surprised me because I thought I was going to be told off. None of my teachers have said a thing.
“I haven’t had any bad comments from friends or people at school. It’s good that I’ve been allowed to express myself and nobody has taken any notice of it."
Homewood School principal Jeremy Single said: “We are aware of a male student who has asked to wear a skirt.
"We comply with the Department for Education’s guidance on school uniform and, as an inclusive school, we will continue to engage with this student regarding the concerns he has raised about our policy.
“We are due to review our uniform policy at the end of January and look forward to consulting with students and parents as part of this process.”
Sydney mum Sarah George, 39, says she has noticed a difference in his mood.
She said: "He’s worn it every day, the school haven’t put up a fight. It’s had a really positive reaction and he’s not bothered by anyone who might be bothered by him wearing it.
“I’ve told him to carry on doing what he’s doing and be who he wants to be. He got a lot of reaction online which pleased him. He seems a lot happier within himself now he’s able to express himself."
Since Sydney's story was published, the teenager said he's received a flood of positive messages from well-wishers on social media.
He said: "I was happy with the reaction of my story online. I was really grateful for all the nice comments.
"I didn’t care about the bad ones, I just ignore them. The positive response made me really happy.
“Since my story went public some people have contacted me saying they’re really proud of me.
"One mum commented that her own son has been inspired by me to do the same thing.
"I think this is a quite a common thing and half the battle is talking about it."
The Link LonkOctober 15, 2020 at 09:19PM
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Teen who wears a skirt to school 'happy' he's allowed to - Somerset Live
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