A secondary school has implemented a gender-neutral uniform policy, requiring that all pupils put on trousers.
For the new academic year in September, Tiverton High School in Devon will implement a variety of changes, including modifications to the day’s structure and uniform.
However, the skirt prohibition – with the exception of PE classes – has sparked debate among some parents.
In a letter to parents, headteacher Sammy Crook explained, ‘We will follow other secondary schools in implementing a more gender-neutral uniform policy’.
‘Parents/carers will be pleased to know that the majority of the uniform will remain as it is, with the exception from September all students will be expected to wear trousers.’
The school timetable would be reformed, as well as the new PE kit, according to the headteacher.
Some parents, however, have expressed dissatisfaction with the modifications, accusing the school of failing to consult with parents and students.
‘While I accept an element of rules and policies need to be made, I feel that as a school that encourages its pupils to be engaged, and have a voice this seems to be a complete lack of democracy,’ said father Stephen Moakes.
Parents’ own morning routines and requirements, as well as other siblings’, had not been considered, he added.
The shortened lunchtime break would ‘barely allow’ students to eat, socialize, and exercise especially those who eat in the cafeteria, which already has ‘struggles with capacity issues’.
The decision to change the school uniform was “had not been taken lightly,” but it would solve the issue of female pupils wearing shorter skirts, which had provoked public and visitor concerns.
Mrs. Crook told Devon Live that ‘By moving to “trousers only” we have particularly responded to the trend for girls in the school to abuse the current policy and wear approved skirts shorter than they should, in and out of school.
‘The wearing of skirts shorter than knee length, which is our current policy, has attracted many complaints from the public and from visitors to the school.’
She continued to say that ‘Our current policy has allowed girls to wear trousers, which many do already, and boys have been able to wear skirts if they want to. Trousers also standardize how our students dress, so that we and they can focus on what we consider to be our primary objective: learning.’
Tiverton High School maintained that the adjustments were done ‘overwhelmingly in the interests of students’ learning,’ and that consulting parents was not needed..
‘Changes such as this are not something we need to consult with parents on, but we have been mindful of the changes and how they may affect parents and have consulted with local transport providers,’ Mrs Crook said.