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Original poster

Indirect discrimination in school policies

29 replies

Vanillanelle · 25/10/2022 16:26

I've realised that the school dress code (non uniform school) that I haven't read since my kid started 7 years ago is indirectly discriminating against girls (mixed school). The principal won't be thrilled about being challenged on it but the members of the governors I know might be more open to discussing it. Any suggestions for how to go about constructively bringing this to the school, resources I can cite, etc?

OP posts:
sheepdogdelight · 25/10/2022 22:04

I agree that highlighting the policy to girls only and not everyone, is appalling.

However, I'm not sure why you feel the policy is indirectly discriminatory? It sounds like it doesn't mention boys or girls specifically, and, if you consider stereotypical girls and boys choice, then girls simply have more choices so you'd expect girls' clothing to be mentioned more.

Unless the "girls" rules are massively stricter than the boys rules or the boys could wear something the girls couldn't I'm not sure of your point?

Original poster
Vanillanelle · 25/10/2022 19:05

I've just realised, I didn't say in my OP, this is a primary school, so children up to 12 years old.

No, the code just refers to "children" rather than boys or girls. But many of the clothes that are specifically named are clothes that are typically worn by girls, eg, short shorts/skirts, off the shoulder tops, etc. The policy was introduced in 2018 following a consultation, but what I can find in my emails, the consultation had no reference at all to a dress code (I completed it) and a draft final policy wasn't circulated for parents' review before it was signed off by the governors. It came to my attention as the policy was recently highlighted to the girls, but not boys, of the oldest classes.

I've done enough drop offs and pick ups to have never seen clothes that fall outside the bounds of the policy and I'm cross that this has been highlighted to the girls and not across the whole year group or to the parents.

OP posts:
RoseslnTheHospital · 25/10/2022 18:06

Is your child still at the school? Presumably the dress code is split by sex, and is more specific and restrictive for girls than it is for boys?

NancyDrawed · 25/10/2022 17:55

What is the dress code? (My assumption would be that skirts are not allowed?)