A high school has banned girls from wearing skirts in order to create a “more gender-neutral” uniform policy.
Parents of Tiverton High School (THS) students in Devon were informed on June 9 that “modifications” to the school uniform would take effect from September this year.
High school students will be required to drop off their skirts, which are currently allowed, and attend classes with only pants, except for physical education sessions.
Sammy Crook, the school’s principal, said: “We will follow other secondary schools to implement a more gender-neutral uniform policy.
“Parents / guardians will be happy to know that most of the uniform will remain as it is, with the exception that as of September all students are expected to wear trousers.”
“Total lack of democracy”
Several parents expressed their frustration after the announcement of the big change, which was decided without any prior consultation.
Among those annoyed by the lack of notice was Stephen Moakes, who said: “As a parent, I have concerns … They have been made without any consultation with students or parents and are simply being imposed.
“I think that as a school that encourages its students to participate and have a voice, this seems to be a total lack of democracy by not allowing established student forums to contribute to changes in school uniforms.”
In addition to implementing the change to have a more gender-neutral uniform, it was also announced due to a persistent problem of girls wearing skirts shorter than knees.
Ms Crook said: “We never make decisions like this lightly and go through a detailed process over time to come to the right conclusions for our students and the school.
“This change in uniform policy has the approval of our governors and balances the demands on us on issues such as education standards, the cost of parenting, inclusion and student health.”
“It takes time” to enforce the skirt length policy
He added that it had become “frustrating” and “time consuming” for staff to continue to have to enforce the school’s skirt length policy and that parents had been contacted in November about these concerns.
“In January we held a series of assemblies with groups all year round on skirts, warning them that if the policy of uniforms was not respected correctly, we would move to a policy of trousers.
“Our current policy has allowed girls to wear pants, which many already do, and boys have been able to wear skirts if they want to,” Ms Crook said.
“Pants also standardize the way our students dress, so we and they can focus on what we consider to be our primary goal: learning.”
The school said the new move will end up being cheaper for parents as they have provided options around the price and fit of the pants by not limiting them to a single brand.
THS said shorts will continue to be allowed during the summer period, as set out in its existing policy, and will take into account individual circumstances in which there may be a “medical or other need” to wear. a skirt.
The school also announced changes to the schedule and structure of the school day at the same time, saying that the day will start 30 minutes earlier, the lunch break will be shortened and two half-hour breaks will be introduced throughout the day. .