Would this bother you? School uniform related

[Madwife123]

DD aged 11 has just started high school.

The school is very strict on uniform which we knew. She has the problem of being tall and slim so when shopping for skirts, all the one’s that came to her knees were falling down on her, even with an adjustable waist. No option for the girls to wear trousers at the school. So the skirt she ended up with is a tiny bit too short. I’ve measured and it’s 1.5 cm above the top of her knee. She has thick opaque black tights with the skirt.

She was stopped by a teacher in the corridor at school and told her skirt is too short and to roll it down. She explained it wasn’t rolled up and the teacher told her to lift her jumper up so she could see her waistband and prove it wasn’t rolled up. This was in front of other pupils.

This really doesn’t sit right with me and I’m considering making a complaint but wanted to know if I’m overreacting.

I know she had a shirt on under her jumper but even so I just don’t think it’s ok that an adult can ask a child to lift an item of clothing, particularly in front of others. Are we not supposed to be teaching our daughters bodily autonomy? That no one has the right to ask them to undress in any way, no matter how small without their consent? She feels embarrassed and humiliated and is really upset by this and I just can’t understand how this can be deemed acceptable.

Would this bother you if it was your child?

Checking girls skirt lengths is a choice that teacher made. They could just not have

Oh, so you don't think teachers should enforce school rules? Believe me, staff are held accountable if they don't. What would happen to you if you decided not to do part of your job?

The school can EITHER specify amount of leg visible below a skirt or specify a specific skirt, but they can't specify the amount of a child's leg that shows below a particular skirt because human leg length varies.

I agree with this. And I also think it's ridiculous that girls can't wear trousers.
Out of interest, do the boys' trousers also have a logo?

The waistband check wouldn't bother me.

I agree. The school uniform shouldn't be so insistent on a particular supplier that parents not only have to pay what I'm assuming is a higher price for it, but then also have to pay for alterations.

She wouldn't have coped with the knicker inspections at my school! Checking we were wearing the thick navy blue knickers that were part of the uniform! That obviously wasn't right, but I do think you're over reacting.

I think asking her to pull her jumper up is ok because she would have had her school shirt on.

But she is year 7 and I’d be really annoyed that she was subjected to this when she’s only been there a handful of weeks.

Secondary school is such a scary time for new year 7s and I think the teacher was being really unfair.

She had thick black tights on and it was only slightly too short, not pulled right up like done girls.

He could have reminded her that skirts need to be below the knee or whatever but I don’t think he needed to check.
This is the tutor’s responsibility.

I would be more pissed off that girls aren’t allowed to wear trousers.

OP isn't coming back presumably as she didn't like the response here so is trying another thread.

School uniform inspection? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feminism/4914357-school-uniform-inspection

I can see that I am overreacting here. I appreciate my views may be distorted by my experiences as a CSA survivor hence I asked first. To those that kindly explained that thank you.

To those that chose to make nasty comments because I worried about this, didn’t want my sensitive autistic child upset, worried about the message this is sending to an already vulnerable child that I am desperately trying to protect as I know how bad the world can be. Does it make you feel better to treat someone like that? Take a look at yourself!

Honestly if anyone thinks this is even 1% realistic in a state school they are hugely misunderstanding the environment their children are spending a large part of their life in.

My personal view is that a lot of this uniform checking at school is ott and time wasting but I also respect that schools do need rules and presentation standards for pupils are part and parcel of that (to a point, and I think taking issue with an inch and a half of knee on show in black tights goes beyond the line of what is reasonable).

Clearly you didn't read the OP properly. 🙄

You're under, not over reacting OP. Your daughter should be allowed to wear trousers and free from harassment by staff over skirt length.

This is 2023 and we must demand better for our girls, ignore all the posters rolling over and supporting these patriarchal standards, sadly many women still don't realise when they are being hoodwinked by the patriarchy. Skirts are less practical and comfortable and girls shouldn't have to tolerate being made to wear them while boys enjoy warm and comfortable trousers, free from harassment about length.

I'd be writing to the trust or LEA.