Parents 'furious' with school's plan to ban skirts for girls

One mum said she would never have chosen the school for her daughter if she'd have known about the trousers-only policy

Parents have reacted angrily towards a school's plan to bring in a trousers-only policy for all pupils.

Newhouse Academy in Heywood told families that from September, both 'boys and girls will be expected to wear plain black school trousers' as the school intends to 'move away from skirts being a part of the girl's uniform'.

The letter from headteacher Alex Burnham was sent out to existing parents before the Easter break, but news soon spread to those who have children starting the school this September.

A small number of them have contacted the school to share their concerns about the change, which the school has now told us has been paused to allow for further consultation.

One mum, whose daughter is due to start in Year 7 this autumn, told the Manchester Evening News that nothing about any uniform change was mentioned in the school's open evenings last year and had it been highlighted at the time, she 'would never have considered this school'.

She said parents of new starters and with children already at the school 'are in uproar' over the plan, which she is 'furious about'.

"This policy was never mentioned at any open evening events we attended whilst we were selecting what high school to choose or I would never have considered this school," said the mum, who didn't want to be identified.

She has contacted the head with her concerns, including that the policy 'would be so discriminating against females and removing the right of a young girl to wear clothes reflecting their identity to please others is abhorrent'.

The head then responded stating: "This decision has been made following careful and thoughtful consideration; including reviewing guidance from other schools, listening to feedback, and evaluating what works best for our school community."

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He added: "We have decided that all students will now wear trousers as part of their standard school uniform, thus creating a more inclusive, practical and comfortable learning environment for all.

"We understand that uniform changes can raise questions, and we want to reassure you that the decision has been made with the best interests of students in mind. We believe the updated policy promotes greater equality, ensures consistency, and allows for greater comfort and ease in daily school lives. The change is also part of our broader efforts to foster an inclusive culture, where every student feels respected, represented and is ready to learn."

Since the reply, the school says it has decided to put its plan on hold.

In a letter to parents and in a statement to the MEN, Mr Burnham said: "At our school we work tirelessly to ensure our community is a place of aspiration, excellence and high standards.

"We have been hugely heartened by the response to our proposal to move to all our students wearing trousers. There have been lots of positive comments from parents, staff and the students themselves.

"While this is something that we think is a good idea, and is already being implemented by other schools, we understand that there are some more people who would like to have their say. That is why we are pausing the decision to proceed with our proposal so that we can further listen to the views of our community. A final announcement will be made later this term."

The move towards trousers - or tights with skirts instead of socks - is one that a number of other secondary schools are taking.

We reported previously how girls at Buile Hill Academy in Salford can no longer wear socks with their skirts. The change has also been introduced at both Moorside High School in Swinton and Ellesmere Park High School in Eccles.

And at Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley, its current pinafores are being scrapped, with girls only allowed to wear trousers from September.

What do you think about schools ditching skirts and having a trousers-only policy for all pupils? Is your child's school making a similar uniform change? Let us know in the comments here.