Secondary Schools Ban Girls’ Skirts

An education trust’s decision to forbid skirts in its new school uniform code has drawn criticism from a parent.

Northern Education Trust – which runs six secondary schools on Teesside – has written to parents outlining the modifications to its school uniform policy, which will come into effect from September 2026.

The new uniform policy bans skirts from being worn and says ‘all students will be expected to wear tailored school trousers’.

The trust argues that all students wearing trousers ‘promotes equality and inclusivity’ and is ‘more practical for active learning and movement throughout the school day’.

Some parents, however, have reacted negatively to the adjustment, claiming they were not consulted.

One mum, whose daughter attends a school within the trust, said: ‘My daughter and many of her friends are upset about it.

‘Many girls choose to wear skirts to express their gender identities. It is outrageous misogyny. There’s nothing open, modern and inclusive about this.’

The trust says it spoke with a ‘significant number of students’ to ask their opinion. 

In a letter published online across four of its Teesside secondary schools, the trust said: ‘From September 2026, the school uniform will no longer include skirts as an option, and all students will be expected to wear tailored school trousers.

‘This decision has been made following careful consideration and feedback from all stakeholders across the trust, where it highlighted the benefits of a more practical, inclusive, and consistent uniform policy.

‘The move to trousers for all students promotes equality and inclusivity, ensuring all students feel comfortable and supported. 

‘Trousers are also more practical for active learning and movement throughout the school day while simplifying uniform requirements helps reduce costs for families. 

‘We understand that this is a significant change, which is why we are providing over a year’s notice to allow time for any necessary adjustments.’

The trust states that these changes are in response to the Department of Education revising its guidance on school uniforms to make them more affordable for families.

According to the trust, the main modification is a cap on the quantity of branded uniforms that schools are permitted to have.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will limit the number of branded items to three – with the addition of a branded tie allowed for secondary schools. 

From September 2026, at the trust’s secondary schools, the only mandatory branded items will include a school blazer, school tie, and the PE top. The trust will also no longer allow plain black T-shirts for this purpose.

As long as they follow the school’s colour and style standards, all other uniform components, including trousers, shirts, shoes and PE bottoms, can be bought from any retailer.

A spokesperson for the trust said: ‘Northern Education Trust is extremely mindful of the cost of school uniforms for parents, and has been considering the impact of this for a number of months, and of the forthcoming changes to government legislation.

‘Alongside this, consideration was given to no longer including skirts as an option, and we have spoken to a significant number of students to ask their opinion about this.

‘As a result of positive feedback to this suggestion, it was decided that all secondary students should wear tailored school trousers from September 2026, as highlighted in the letter to parents earlier this month.

‘The decision to delay implementation of the change until 2026 was to give families plenty of time to prepare so that they could make an informed choice when purchasing items this year, as well as saving costs on having to repeatedly replace tights.

‘A very small number of parents have raised concerns which have been discussed with individuals, but the vast majority of responses to the notification have been very positive.

‘We cannot comment on individual cases, and we always ask parents to contact us directly to discuss any concerns they have about such changes.’

The Teesside schools under the Northern Education Trust include Dyke House Academy (Hartlepool), Freebrough Academy (Brotton), The Grangefield Academy (Stockton), Manor Community Academy (Hartlepool), North Shore Academy (Stockton) and Thornaby Academy (Thornaby).

They probably do not, however, forbid the hijabs since they are afraid of upsetting those who wear them.

This is all woke nonsense. Skirts are much more comfortable in the summer months. Why don’t they just let the students decide for themselves whatever their gender?

To be honest, you typically see girls wearing shorts, jeans, or leggings when they go out on the weekend. The problem with school skirts is that when girls wear them, they are too short. I’ve seen a lot of girls going about their lives wearing school skirts that hardly cover anything.

Does anyone else find it extremely annoying that the terms “diversity, equality, and inclusivity” are used on a regular basis? Makes you wonder what other woke rubbish they’re ensconcing into our children. Instead of telling children what to think they should help them how to think.