Schoolgirls ‘in tears’ as they’re banished from classes after ‘ridiculous’ skirt ban

Girls at a secondary school in Oldham have been informed they will not be permitted to attend lessons until they replace their skirts with trousers.

Co-op Academies Trust declared earlier this year that a trousers-only policy would be implemented from September, but the change has not been universally accepted and some families are resisting. A number of students arrived at Co-op Academy Failsworth for the new academic year on Wednesday wearing skirts, despite the introduction of the new uniform policy.

In addition to Failsworth, skirts have also been prohibited at Co-op Academy Walkden, Co-op Academy Swinton, Co-op Academy North Manchester, Co-op Academy Manchester and Co-op Academy Belle Vue.

Parents have reached out to the Manchester Evening News to express their frustration over the uniform alteration, labelling it ‘ridiculous’ and reporting that several Year 11 girls were barred from class on their first day back on Wednesday, with other year groups affected when they returned today, Thursday.

Samantha Scholes, who has two daughters in Years 10 and 11, says they’ve been ‘in tears’ over the new regulations. She claims her eldest was turned away on her first day back when she showed up wearing a skirt, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The Trust asserts that only a small number of pupils have arrived in skirts and those that have, have been presented with a selection of trousers to pick from and ‘have not been turned away’.

Samantha, who maintains her daughter was not offered trousers – and wouldn’t have chosen to wear them anyway due to being ‘very self-conscious’ – expressed: “I am extremely concerned that my daughter has been denied access to her education because of a uniform issue.

“While I understand that the academy has changed its uniform policy, I do not believe that causing a child to miss lessons is a reasonable or proportionate response. I do not agree with what they have done. I think even girls who have put the pants on would choose skirts.”

She continued: “One of my daughters was in tears last night and wanted to move school. She is a bright girl and breaks my heart knowing they are unhappy.

“The school’s decision to remove skirts from the uniform has had a significant impact on her wellbeing and self-esteem. I feel that her concerns have not been listened to or taken seriously. Rather than working with us to find a solution, both of my daughters missed education.

“As a parent, I believe schools have a duty not only to educate children, but also to support their wellbeing. I do not feel that enough consideration has been given to the effect this policy is having on my daughter or the distress it is causing her.

“My concern is that a blanket policy is being enforced without properly considering the impact on individual pupils, particularly those who may already struggle with confidence, body image, or mental wellbeing.”

Another mother, Samantha Gallier, revealed her daughter had reluctantly agreed to wear trousers, but ‘was upset’ as she ‘said she looked like a boy’.

She lodged a complaint with the school when the change was first announced, stating it ‘raises concerns regarding equality, inclusion, and student wellbeing’.

“Removing a clothing option traditionally worn by girls and compelling all students to wear trousers risks creating a policy that is both sexist and discriminatory in its impact,” she informed the school. “Equality should not mean erasing difference; rather, it should ensure that reasonable choices remain available to students.”

Urging the Trust to ‘reconsider’ retaining skirts as an option, she requested a copy of any Equality Impact Assessment carried out, details of the consultation process with parents and students prior to the decision being made and clarification on how the school concluded that completely removing skirts complies with its obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

Samantha says she received none of the above. Despite the objections raised by parents, the school management refused to back down, stating its ‘focus remains on creating a comfortable, inclusive and positive learning environment where every student can thrive’.

And the decision to turn pupils away this week has been applauded by some others in the community who believe parents need to support schools and the education system instead of fighting against it.

Reacting to parents’ comments on social media insisting their daughters would continue to wear skirts, education worker Emma McManus stated: “Follow the policy or change school, put your girls in trousers and set the example that we all want them to have dignity and pride and more than anything respect for rules.

“Life is full of them and we just have to suck it up, or admit that it’s for the best in this world we now live in. I hope the teachers have a good start to the term too, they work so hard to prepare for our children to return after the summer and deserve recognition for the hard work they do. There are some truly amazing people out there working hard to give our children a hopeful and healthy future.”

When the uniform alteration was initially announced, a spokesperson for the Trust told the Manchester Evening News: “This change to the uniform policy in our secondary schools reflects our commitment to supporting active learning, student wellbeing and a practical, comfortable school day. We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views, and we appreciate the largely positive response we have received.

“Trousers are widely recognised as practical in both educational and professional environments. A growing number of schools nationally have made similar changes to support equality and participation. We are also very mindful of the financial pressures facing families. By removing ongoing costs such as tights and limiting branded uniform items across the Trust, we are helping to reduce overall uniform expenses while creating greater consistency between our academies.”

They added: “As an inclusive trust, we are committed to working closely with families to ensure appropriate adjustments are made where required for any student. We encourage parents to contact their academy so we can provide individual support. Our focus remains on creating a comfortable, inclusive and positive learning environment where every student can thrive.”

The shift towards trousers – or tights with skirts rather than socks – is a move that numerous other secondary schools have already adopted.

We previously reported how pupils at Buile Hill Academy in Salford are no longer permitted to wear socks with their skirts. The alteration has also been implemented at both Moorside High School in Swinton and Ellesmere Park High School in Eccles.

Additional schools that have adopted trousers-only policies include Philips High in Whitefield, Bury; Fred Longworth High School, in Tyldesley, Wigan; Canon Slade School in Bolton and Newhouse Academy in Heywood.

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