Townley Grammar School

[FelicityForthright]

DD started at Townley in September and loves everything about the school including the uniform. However it is now getting too cold for bare legs, and she loathes tights, so we went out to the uniform shop to buy some uniform trousers. Other mums had told me that the trousers are hideous but I assumed that they just meant they are flares or something. But no, they are weirdly-shaped very low hipsters. DD has inherited my husband's very long body. There is no way her shirt will stay tucked into trousers this low-slung, and then her knickers will be showing above the waistband, which she (and I!) dislike. The shop told me that when Townley added the option of trousers, the shop were instructed to find the least attractive style available, because, although Townley are obliged to offer the option of trousers, they don't actually want the girls to wear them. Has anybody found a solution to this problem, perhaps by having them altered by a tailor, or finding a near-enough substitute - e.g. trousers in the right fabric but a slightly better cut?

[Argeles]

You could try and find an alternative pair in a better cut, but it may be awkward to match the shade exactly.

It’s a long process, but if I were you, I’d speak with or write a letter to the Headteacher (I know someone who has worked with him in the past), and they always championed him as a very fair and accommodating person, who is very keen to listen to, and assist girls in becoming more confident and equal.

On that note, I’d also encourage your Daughter to inform student voice or student council at Townley, as to her uniform issues. Whilst we are all unique, many of the young girls will have the same issue with the trousers.

You’re being perfectly reasonable in my opinion - you’re acknowledging that they need to be a practical and flattering cut in the waist and hip area, not a complete style change. I don’t think it’d go down too well if lots of girls arrived wearing them with their underwear on show, so if it’s explained to them, and an alternate shared with them, I’m sure they’ll be keen to listen.

I’m a former secondary school Teacher, and I’ve always despaired at the abysmal skirt and trouser ‘offerings’ in the schools I’ve taught in, and have always told disgruntled students and parents to complain to student voice/student council, and to the senior management. Usually, some kind of compromise will be made.

[TansyViolet]

Contact the headteacher and tell him " There is no way her shirt will stay tucked into trousers this low-slung, and then her knickers will be showing above the waistband." Say that you know the shop were instructed to find the least attractive style available, because, although Townley are obliged to offer the option of trousers, they don't actually want the girls to wear them but what does he suggests to enable her to wear the trousers without her pants showing and shirt untucked. I'd be pretty unimpressed by a head who purposely chose a low slung style that made their knickers show.

[Tinty]

Is Townley a girls grammar school? If there are boys there could she wear the boys uniform trousers?

[FelicityForthright]

Thanks for the helpful advice. Yes, it's a girls' school. There are boys in the 6th form, but 6th formers don't wear uniform as such.

[Rachelover40]

I think you could buy a couple of pairs of grey trousers somewhere else that would fit better. Take the skirt with you to the shop to make sure the shade is the same. I bet others do that.

Townley uniform is nice, I like the red edging on the cardigans.