School insists skirt is too short

My kids went to a coed secondary, not in the UK, but with similar uniform rules to moan about.
All subjects available to boys and girls, both my daughters have STEM degrees and careers,
My main gripe was mixed PE classes (not mixed team sports). It seemed to me that a lot of girls opted out as soon as possible - not wanting to bounce around in front of other girls and especially other boys. (They did a set of classes in self defence just for girls).

Fortunately, such oppressive misogynistic structures do not seem to be affecting girls' attainment in schools in terms of the things that really matter. Is The Patriarchy losing sight of the Primary Objective?

I bet the boys took over an entire playground for football though, didn't they?

They certainly did at my DD's school, and that was only 10 years ago.

Policy states "skirts should finish at or below the knee" hers was just above

There we go, it’s not in line with the school uniform policy.

Sorry, clicked post accidentally.

My SIL however is the complete opposite. She hates trousers. She owns some jeans but never wears them.

I haven't worn a skirt in 20 years. I hate them. I'm extremely self conscious about my tree trunk legs.

It is perfectly possible to have a uniform or dress code which specifies things like no spaghetti straps, no skirts above the knee etc without being of the opinion that 'girls' thighs are immoral'. Midriffs aren't immoral but neither boys'nor girls' midriffs tend to be allowed to be visible in school uniform. Inappropriate for school or the workplace is not the same as 'immoral'.

The fact is that school uniforms tend to have less flexibility for boys than girls. Most secondary schools don't allow shorts for boys, only long trousers, yet girls are allower to wear trousers or skirts. Expecting them to be knee-length does not seem particularly unreasonable to me.

Policy states "skirts should finish at or below the knee" hers was just above

@yesterdaystotalsteps123 Well then. It might seem picky but it seems they can see the difference. So, her skirt needs to be at or below the knee like in the rules.

All of you who think any activity is impossible in a skirt- what do you think girls did before trousers became commonplace- especially girls like me growing up on a farm?

Why is it sexist?

Speak to the school all you want, but all that’s ridiculous is your own overreaction and imagining problems that aren’t there to suit your own narrative.

Policy states "skirts should finish at or below the knee" hers was just above plus she was wearing thick tights.

That’s the problem, then. It’s considerably likely this was the policy when you sent her to that school so you’ve always been fully aware.

It doesn’t matter if “it doesn’t sit right” with you; that’s the rule and you need to follow it.

does seem very sexist, are the boys at the school allowed to wear shorts? my DS is allowed to wear shorts at his secondary school, but the girls rules are much stricter which is definitely an issue! although DS does go to a private school so I guess they may be stricter

My daughter had a male year head who referred to it as skirts up to high heaven. These were paired with a v neck jumper, top shirt button undone, and ties adjusted so they were not visible, hidden under the jumper.
Girls who wore trousers had to wear grey socks with them, boys never had specific socks.
Every item was in nasty fabric.

OP the solution is to buy a longer skirt.

I'd like to say short skirts aren't a problem.

But when I've seen considerably more of teenage girls than I would ever want to see when they have sat down, reached up or walked upstairs, I've got to say I now go along with the rules on skirt length.

If I wore a skirt as short and the kids saw as much of me as I went about my job as I have involuntarily seen on some of them, I'd be fired and probably on a register.

And you accept that?! Where do you live, the 1920s?

I can't challenge it because she doesn't want to wear them. I challenged it when I was a pupil at the same school 25 years ago, so I'm not spineless. Didn't get anywhere though!

It's N Ireland. I've never seen a secondary school girl in trousers. I'm not saying there aren't any, maybe there are. But if you walk round Belfast city centre on a Friday afternoon when the teenagers go for a wander round the shops and there are thousands of them in school uniform (in non Covid times obviously) you don't see any girls in trousers. There definitely aren't any schools within travelling distance of where I live where girls are allowed to wear trousers.

I was at secondary school in the 90s and the fashion then was rolling your skirt band so that your skirt was quite a bit above the knee! Paired with over knee socks. Strict Catholic school, I remember in assembly our permanently angry headteacher telling the girls we needed to come to school dressed like decent girls and not like ladies of the night!

Dies she roll her skirt? So what to you looks like a sensible above the knee skirt to the school is a belt? I live near 4 secondary schools and I would estimate 98% of the girls roll their skirts. Plenty also unroll before coming home.

As for trousers being more comfortable I am another one who much prefer skirts. & I have ever got why anyone find jeans comfortable and at age 50 do not own a pair (nor of leggings as dont find them comfortable wither)

So far as playing , I'm not sure what "rough play " you have in mind for primary children. At my primary school in the 60s it was complex skipping games and hopscotch.
I bet the boys took over an entire playground for football though, didn't they?
Though they hopefully wouldn't be allowed to do that now,

But if girls flout the rules more than boys, they need to be 'policed' more.
If her skirt had met the rules (did it not give the overall length in the info?) there wouldn't have been an issue.

DD regularly climbs very high trees in skirts and dresses. I wear leggings or tracksuit bottoms for actual exercise, but for day to day activities (climbing up things, bending, anything that involves a big stride or wide stance) I find a skirt or dress far less restrictive than trousers not specifically designed for sport.

I find trousers uncomfortable, but very practical for lower leg protection from thorns and nettles, so that's the sort of situation where I'd plan to wear them.

I think that maybe women who have a body shape that works with trousers don't realise just how uncomfortable they are for those who don't. I don't own a pair of trousers smart enough to wear outside the house or gym which fit my waist, hips and leg length.

How can girls run or walk if there skirt is actually over their knee?

@yesterdaystotalsteps123 by wearing any skirt that isn't a pencil skirt!

My dd is a lot younger than yours but loves climbing, running and being active. She loves wearing skirts and dresses, which don't stop her.