Pupils and parents criticise skirt ban in schools

Some parents and pupils are calling on schools in Greater Manchester to scrap their plans to ban pupils from wearing skirts.

Several schools plan to implement the policy from September, including Canon Slade School in Bolton and Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley.

Summer, a pupil at Canon Slade school, said she disagreed with the school uniform changes, adding it was "taking away our femininity".

In separate statements, both schools said the decision had been made following discussions with parents, staff and governors.

Fred Longworth High School said the change came after girls had reported feeling "uncomfortable and self-conscious" and the change would "eradicate pressure" and remove an "unnecessary barrier" to learning.

In guidance from The Department for Education, it strongly encourages schools to have a uniform, as it can play a key role in promoting the ethos of a school, providing a sense of belonging and identity and setting an appropriate tone for education.

Summer, a Year 10 pupil, said she did not believe that she should be forced to wear trousers.

"We already had the choice to wear trousers like some people did, some people didn't, and that was completely fine," she said.

"But now that we're getting the choices taken away from us, it just feels like it's really forced.

"I think it's bad because it's taking away our femininity and what we see makes us girls."

Her mother Karen also said the change in policy would be an extra cost.

"For most parents of existing pupils, we've already bought the skirts," she said.

"In the case of Summer, she's only going to be wearing [the skirt] for nine months because she'll have finished the school in May.

"So how's that making it affordable for some parents?"

Scarlett, who is due to start the school in September, said she would prefer to wear a skirt.

"We're all growing up so it does make you feel a bit more comfortable," she said.

"It's not a fashion show, but at the same time you always want to look nice and presentable."

James Watson, an Independent Network councillor on Wigan Council, has started a petition after his daughter's school also announced plans to bring in a trouser-only policy from September.

It has been signed by more than 1,000 people so far, following the decision by Fred Longworth High School.

Mr Watson said: "It's a very good school that she's in and she's had a fantastic time there, but she's worried now from September about wearing trousers to the point where we've even had a conversation that she doesn't want to go to that school anymore."

Canon Slade School said the decision was made "following more than a year's worth of careful thought and consideration".

"Adopting trousers for all students will help to empower staff to set an appropriate tone for a high standard of education and provide all students with a sense of belonging.

"This will in turn promote our professional and inclusive ethos."

It added that the school had reduced branded items and the school would continue to support families financially.

Fred Longworth High School said: "A strong uniform policy is a key tenet in creating a positive environment for learning.

"We make no apologies for the fact that we are a school with high standards, and as part of this, we expect all our students to wear the uniform in the correct way.

"The vast majority of our parents work with us and are broadly supportive of our policies."

The school added that it was implementing the change "that will support many of our girls who are telling us that they feel uncomfortable and self- conscious".

"We are eradicating pressure to wear skirts at inappropriate lengths and therefore removing an unnecessary barrier for our girls," it said.

"The short length of dresses poses a modesty problem which in turn can present safeguarding concerns both inside and outside of school."

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