GIRLS at a school in Bournemouth are now allowed to wear shorts like their male classmates, thanks to a campaign by a nine-year-old pupil.

Izzy Lindsey-Clark, who attends St James’ Primary Academy, felt it was “unfair” that girls had only the choice of a summer dress when it became too hot to wear trousers.

The Year 4 pupil sent a letter to principal Jeremy Payne’s office, which read: “Dear Mr Payne. Why can’t girls wear shorts for the summer? I am still wearing my trousers, shirt and tie but it’s a bit hot, but I don’t want to wear a dress because: 1. They show your pants 2. They are hard to run in 3. I just don’t like dresses.

“It’s unfair because we can wear trousers but not shorts. Many girls will probably agree on this too.”

Izzy said: “It’s the first time I’ve written to the principal. I thought about what I wanted to say and the reasons why girls should be allowed to wear shorts.

“He told me to do a presentation on where to get them and what type of shorts the girls could wear.”

Mr Payne presented Izzy’s proposals to the school’s governing body, which unanimously approved a change to the uniform policy.

“I was really pleased they said yes,” Izzy said. “My friend was really excited about it too.

“I’ve been wearing shorts to school since then,” she added.

Izzy’s parents, Louisa and Ben, have praised their daughter’s efforts.

“It was the most natural thing in the world for her to speak her mind. When she knows what she thinks about something, she’s quite happy to make a stand about it,” Ben said.

He said he was also “really chuffed” with the school’s response to the matter and a letter Mr Payne sent to Izzy in reply.

“The letter he wrote when it was all sorted was really moving and touching and made her feel really valued – setting her up to do something similar in future.”

A comment on the school’s Facebook page describes Izzy’s actions as those of “a young girl who saw inequality and felt that she would like to do something about it.”

It continued: “It underlines our true belief that we are all responsible for our community and that we all have the power to change things for the better. It demonstrates that writing has a purpose and can be used to good effect for personal and collective benefit. It shows that democracy is a good thing and that when everyone has a voice things can change in a positive way.

“Most importantly, it now means that the St. James’ Primary Academy’s uniform policy is changed as of this moment and girls are now able to opt to wear shorts as one choice for their uniform.”

Vice principal Alastair Brown added: “It is really great when young children are empowered”.

“This is democracy at its best. By writing a letter to the principal, Izzy went about this in the right way and made a difference. We’re really proud of her.”