School brings in trousers only rule for all pupils - schoolgirls said to be in tears ...

The uniform policy states smart black trousers.

these are relatively easily available as lots of adult workplaces either require black trousers or men and women choose to wear them so I would imagine this actually makes uniform cheaper then eg branded trousers or a skirt.

the policy seems to say that the change is because of the new limit in the number of branded uniform items,

black trousers are cheap and readily available in a lot of shops in a lot of sizes.

seems a reasonable decision

I agree 100% with this! So much easier all round if everyone wears trousers.

However, I think school uniform trousers that are sold in the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, M&S and so on are pretty horrible. They're cheap, scratchy rubbishy fabrics and I certainly wouldn't want to wear them. But I very much dislike skirts and much prefer trousers!

The pupils should be permitted to wear their own choice of trousers in the school's preferred colour (most likely black, grey or navy), which should be pretty easy to obtain.

Because, unfortunately, many girls wear skirts that are way too short, and are frankly a safeguarding issue. A lot of male (and to a lesser extent female) staff are genuinely scared that they will face accusations that they are looking. Enforcing rules around skirt length is a minefield for all staff.

Trousers are safer and generally easier to enforce as a uniform item.

Good. I live near a couple of these schools. The rolling up of skirts at the top is ridiculous. Lots of teenage girls do it and it looks terrible. For all of them to wear trousers makes absolute sense. Many will no doubt be wearing jeans outside of school so I’m nit sure where this 1950s idea of women not being physically capable of learning whilst betrousered comes from.

What a woman does is a problem, if it s a problem. Simple as

I dont know why you're bringing in alcohol and taxis, presumably referring to rape

This is simply about ensuring that children are not showing off their bums and knickers. That is not a difficult concept, it is not appropriate in terms of social presentation to do that. A school has a right to dictate what goes on, on its property.

If kids and their parents think its ok, want to dress like that at the weekend, crack on. I wouldnt let my daughter out looking like that because its about basic standards of presentation.

Similarly my son does not range about the local neighbourhood presenting as a little road man like some of the other scallies. That is not appropriate presentation either, those clothes and that look has to change, its not allowed.

You cant just say you can do whatever you like and run against social norms because you're a woman.

Crikey, there's such a lot of fuss about school uniform. It shouldn't be this difficult.

Teenage children are massively concerned with the way they look, so personally, I'd give them as many options as (appropriately) possible.

IF the issue is short skirts and rolling them up, then A) have a rule, which is enforced, and B) maybe some lessons about why girls might do that. It could be viewed as an opportunity, rather than a condemnation.

Are they being forced by the boys to roll their skirts up?

@IwantToRetire "Amazing how on a supposedly feminist forum so many are saying it is because women are the problem that this has had to happen."

Well I guess if girls are going into school showing their arses and knickers, then it is a problem. Boys are going to look aren't they! That's not ingrained misogyny, it's called sexual attraction - which is as old as time. Do you really envisage some kind of futuristic world where men aren't remotely interested in female bodies? If boys were rolling down their trousers to show their underpants or leaving their flies undone, then it would be equally wrong for school and a solution would need to be found.

How are police and paramedics able to wear work trousers in the summer for 12 hour shifts without getting heat stress...?

Its nothing to do with boys and their behaviour. Its about ensuring that children, because thats what school girls are, are appropriate dressed and not showing off their bum and underwear.
The woman you make reference to is an adult. I dont think that outfit is appropriate either but she isnt a child, its her responsibility how she presents and what she wears.

Im not a believer that anyone can present how they want and wear what they want, you have to be dressed appropriately in public. Boys with half their arse crack hanging out, with their pants on show - not appropriate, Girls with haif their arse hanging out of their skirt with their pants on show - not appropriate. Its about basic standards of presentation.

Actually, in my school we do tend to have a few heat faints each summer term. It's a small, single form entry primary, and we have 3/4 fainting episodes most summers despite the school size. We have a lot of kids in modest clothing in the school (so not necessarily cultural clothing, but very covered).

It's only ever been girls in the fair few years I've been there and it's only ever our older girls in modest clothing - not most girls by any means, but everyone I remember fainting has been. The combination of jumper, trousers, shirt and head covering does seem to have them fainting (we've had a couple of mums faint on us over the years too in summer). As secondary schools are known for strict rules around jumpers and blazers anyway, I don't think it's a laughable idea that it might lead to overheating to a dangerous degree. (We tend to be begging them to remove clothes due to heat, but for cultural and religious reasons, the older ones prefer to stay in full uniform.)

We spent over a month off uniform this summer, to accommodate a need to be both cool and fully covered to prevent exactly this issue, which isn't going to happen in secondary realistically. I can completely see girls fainting by overheating if they are used to dressing in a cooler way in summer than thick school trousers (because strict uniform rules do not allow for light, wafty linen trousers realistically).

I hate to, but I'm coming to agree. Mixed schools are really only an advantage to boys.

Its ridiculous. If I were a parent there I'd be outraged.

I work in schools! I’m in favour of this! Female here too.

No the problem isnt boys at all. This isnt about boys behaviour

This is about girls putting their bums and knickers on show. Its not appropriate and no one wants to see it. Teachers spend fruitless hours telling them to wear their skirts properly. Wasted time

Wont happen now they're wearing trousers.

The girls claiming they should wear what they want need to take it up with the girls who have ruined it for everyone by being unable to wear skirts properly.

No it's not relevant.

How many girls wearing trousers during the summer months at school have fainted etc BECAUSE they were wearing trousers??

I'll hazard a guess at exactly zero.

OMG - school mandates what can be worn as part of uniform kind of the point of a uniform

Have I stumbled into the Victorian era? I wear trousers and I don't look like a man.

Trousers are designed for people with 2 legs

I absolutely hated skirts at school because of chub rub, it was very difficult.

I now never wear skirts

You cant please everyone.