Year 11 pupils from Maidenham Boys’ School disembark on the first day of their exchange trip to Germany.

Today Joe and I begin as day boys at Bressingley College, one of the best schools in the north of England. The uniform is very different to our old school. It’s weird at first - stepping out on the street with bare legs, but I quite like it. Joe isn’t so sure.

I began to realise that my Aunt Jackie’s insistence on my wearing shorts at her retirement party was for another reason - for the indulgence of all of these ladies. With all the drink inside them they could be quite intimidating to a shy boy like me. I tired of my knees being squeezed and my thighs patted so much. Certainly I came away from that night a bit older and wiser, although I didn’t feel like it dressed like a little boy still.

My parents sometimes went to the Anchor hotel after church. Although they always found time to go home to change into more relaxed clothes, I wasn't permitted to do so. So there was always the chance of someone from school seeing what I had to wear for “Sunday best”, which I dreaded.

My job was becoming hard, particularly on Saturday nights. The town had become very focussed on keeping teenage boys like myself in line. But in doing so it had taken its eye off the ball - it was now the standards of girls’ behaviour that were becoming a problem. In this case, my problem. What could be done about it, I wonder?

“Sean, I don’t know why you’re so miserable, you look very winsome in your outfit, that waitress just said so.” “Winsome? What’s that? She also thought I was about 14, when I’m nearly 17.” Laughter erupted, but not from the boy. “Oh, darling, what I wouldn’t give to have someone get my age wrong that way!”

Although the uniform is now worn by all up to 6th form, we still get a lot of nods and smiles on the way to school in the morning.

Both Jess and me approve of your outfit, Max, but you’ve such hairy legs, we need to do something about that. You'll look much nicer with smooth legs. Jess's friend Amy has a salon, we’ve booked you in at 4pm, so we need to go soon.”

Ah, here are those oiks from the other school, following me again. They’re shouting taunts as we’re back in our summer uniform. They think I’m embarrassed by my bare thighs…but if only they knew what fun they lead to… in and out of school.

“Hurry up, Jason. Get your tie on, we need to go, we’re picking up Granny then going to the Buckingham hotel for supper. I think she’s going to be delighted that you’re in short trousers again, but I won't tell her why or she'll have you over her knee."

I'd seen her following me around the bookshop a couple of times before. I was so shy, and perhaps she was, too. Then one day she finally spoke - "I like your uniform. But a boy shouldn’t show more leg than a girl - that's just not right, so I wore this!" I looked over at her and I blushed...

Chatterbox cafe offered free ice cream on Fridays if you were under 16.  I loved ice cream, and was quite happy to put on my old shorts after school so I could pass as younger than my true age. I suppose I got a thrill from the danger of being found out - and dressing as I did.

I grew to love my uniform and even became something of a show off. As the saying goes, “A shy boy doesn't get any sweeties”. I didn't want to go home and change into mufti after school. Instead, I liked to lounge around on the grass with a book and hope to attract attention. I had an old pair of short trousers I’d somewhat outgrown which I’d sometimes bring and change into them. My 'snug' shorts, as I called them, seemed to have more effect, and putting them on was exhilarating.

“Lucas, the other girls may have been laughing at you, but I have to confess, I like boys that wear shorts, especially when they have legs that suit them, as you do. Do you want to go to the cinema tonight? OK, great! Pick me up at 8pm... but please can you dress as you are now?”

"Where did your dad find these shorts and socks?"

"I don't know, but we're going to have wear them all weekend, he said."

"Mum said if we're both sulking we can sit on our own over here. And I heard Dad mention they've booked a taxi to go to the Lamb Inn later. Aunt Hilda is there with cousins Jessica and Charlotte, they're a bloody nightmare. And they'll make us come... dressed like this."

I'm only pretending to read. I've seen that you're looking over this way, and I know what you're thinking - "Is that boy really wearing grey shorts and long socks? Isn't he a bit old for them?"

The answer to both questions is yes, but the shorts are part of my uniform. Your third question - I am guessing, is "His legs look unusually smooth… is he made to keep them so by having to shave them?" and again the answer is... Yes, I do.

“Is this seat taken? Thanks. I saw you here yesterday too. I like your uniform, you do stand out… My name’s Nathan, by the way.”