I don't have girls, but ermm, was a girl. Went to non uniform school and every pic of me as a kid I'm wearing either some funky shorts, a skort, or dress with leggings. Was always upside down on monkey bars, did sports etc and climbed loads. When I take my boys to the park after school, I'm often taken aback when I see girls in uniform dresses hanging and climbing and inadvertently showing their underwear. I'm not a prude or a weirdo. It's not about boys looking, or that there might be perverts or any of that, it's standard public modesty. People all around us don't usually show their underwear, and so surely a little girl feels slightly exposed if wearing just knickers with a dress but wants to enjoy sport or join in at the playground? I don't think it's fair that they have those two crappy choices set out by the school - wear a dress and show your knickers if you dare to be active, or don't be as active as boys, who are wearing comfortable and appropriate clothing. I hope that if I had a girl that I would stand up to the school or LA and demand that she could wear shorts and a polo and boots if she wanted. That's another ridiculous thing, the enforced wearing of patent Mary Janes all year at some schools near me! My boys are already in autumn boots with lovely flexible soles. I don't know if it's some sinister nationwide conspiracy to keep girls in their supposed demure place, or if I'm overthinking it.