Uniform restrictions for girls vs boys

[Wwfan]

Are most uniform restrictions weighted towards girls?

We’ve received the following email today. They don’t say girls but from what I can work out it’s only girls (or those who identify as girls) who wear the items listed.

I fully support uniform and don’t show an inch of eye rolling to my kids! They know the rules are the rules.

But when I get these sorts of emails I think it really highlights the disparity.

I’ve just realised too that when I click on the uniform link (that I’ve removed from the cut and paste below) that the school trouser girls can wear must have the school badge on (so school uniform shop) whereas the boys trousers must be grey from a school supplier (eg M&S etc)!

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are writing to remind families of our school uniform expectations and to seek your continued support in ensuring that students attend school dressed appropriately and in line with our published uniform policy:

REDACTED

Recently, we have experienced increasing issues with students wearing non-permitted items, particularly black leggings and flared trousers, which are not part of the school uniform.
As a result, we are reaffirming that leggings are not permitted as part of school uniform. Students should wear standard school trousers or skirts and change into appropriate PE kit for lessons.
Trousers and Flares
We would also like to remind parents that flared trousers are not allowed. Trousers must be of a traditional school style and fit appropriately.
Skirt Length
Skirts must be of an appropriate length, in line with our uniform policy. This expectation is in place to safeguard both students and staff, ensure comfort and dignity and maintain a professional learning environment.
Half Term – Time to Make Corrections
To support families, we expect that any required uniform corrections are made over the half-term period. This will ensure that students return to school on Tuesday 24th February dressed correctly, allowing learning to begin promptly and without unnecessary disruption.
From this point onwards, uniform expectations will be consistently enforced in line with school policy.
We appreciate that uniform conversations can be challenging, but consistency between home and school is vital. Your support helps us maintain high standards, reduce disruption to learning and ensure that expectations are applied fairly to all students.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Many boys at our local college tried to get away with wearing non standard school trousers. When schools are more relaxed about school trousers I think girls have a greater choice, as boys don’t tend to wear leggings and also boys don’t tend to wear skirts so girls usually have a greater choice uniform wise

You missed all the European countries like Finland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Germany etc. I wonder why?

Not in the stats I was looking at, but you do you, boo. I seem to have touched a nerve. Interesting.

Why not one uniform for all.
All children wear school trousers.

Sorted.

They mean no staff want to see boobs, vulvas or bums.

A skirt should cover bum and vulva as a minimum. Some don't.

Male members of staff never check length ime. That wouldn't be acceptable.

This does seem ridiculous. When I was at school in the 90s it was just wear any black trousers and any white shirt so I’m not sure why things are so complicated now. Some people wore boot cut or wide leg and some wore black non faded jeans and some chinos and it didn’t cause any problems.

Please enlighten us all with where you got your stats? I don’t think they exist do they? I tell you what touches my nerves, people who spout inaccuracies on Mumsnet. I will also educate you that most of the top universities in Europe are in England. We have the most in the top 10. We also have the most European graduates looking for jobs here. Our students work hard and are a credit to us. And another fact, we have almost got rid of non uniform days, as it’s not fair on so many students. Why should the wealthy ones parade their designer clothes, while some can only wear hand me downs. At least with a school uniform, they get to wear the same and if necessary it can be purchased for them.
And let’s here what your job is, then we can make up a load of rubbish about your sector….

This is the big issue I have with school uniforms. There are several schools by us where boys only need a school blazer and tie, everything else supermarket. But girls have to have tartan or check skirt only available from the supplier and costing the same as 4 pairs of generic supermarket trousers.

“Hear”

I’m school staff, so let’s see you try and twist that one. It’s because I’m school staff I said you’re naive if you think uniform is some great leveler . If that were the case, so many schools wouldn’t have uniforms that cost hundreds just to meet the bare requirements. If that were the case , pupils and staff wouldn’t be able to tell which children come from households that are struggling… and yet we do.

As a rule University students don't wear uniform and neither do the students at our local high performing sixth forms. Doesn't seem to stop them getting A⭐ and Oxbridge offers.

Yeah because I worked in an office with a "smart casual" dress code during the period of hipster jeans and thongs I suggested at a management meeting that I should be allowed to wedge every young woman who's pants I could see sticking over the top of their trousers I had a bollocking.

No child can accuse a teacher of looking up their skirt, and no teacher can

That is so sad, that you work in a school, yet you dismiss your students as ranking behind most other European countries. You are obviously not engaged at all, or you would know all about the PISA ranking. And why is your school charging hundreds of pounds for uniform? I pity your students. And why are you not helping your poorer students buy uniform? We are very proud of our students and all they achieve. It’s just sad that you are not.

Most boys just wear what they are bought so as long as their parents buy correct uniform there aren’t as many issues girls think that leggings are acceptable and have plenty of items not suitable to wear in their wardrobes.

Boys cant really push the boundaries with uniform can they, apart from shoes. Its a simple shirt and trousers for boys. However girls can push the boundaries more, as they have more clothing options in a skirt/dress/trousers.

They may have used the image of the trouser with the badge as an example, I would maybe speak to the school and ask for clarity on this one and ask if a smart trouser in any form will suffice.

I have to agree, they shouldn't be wearing leggings to school. The flares I dont really get, but I see they are trying to push business wear, and want the girls in a tailored trouser.

I've seen the word 'misogyny' thrown around and its really laughable. As a professional women working in a very male dominated industry I can tell you I would never ever expect to be able to walk into a meeting with my male colleagues wearing leggings, and to be took seriously.

Girls flared trousers are just often leggings, which are not suitable for school worn on their own due to being thin and underwear being visible. It's not fair on male staff to ask them to inspect teenage girls bottom halves, hence the visible badge on trousers.

Just say no leggings if it’s an issue. But trousers are ok. And they shouldn’t be badged. Especially if boys trousers aren’t

Flared trousers and leggings are complete opposites by sheer definition.

Tight at the top, flared at the bottom??!

Yes, leggings fit all the way down the legs and are usually made of lycra/some other performance type material. Flared trousers can be made of anything - often jogger material/cotton.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/interlock-flare-trousers-p03641851.html?v1=503040857

These are nothing like leggings! Also - leggings don't have to be transparent. Plenty of loungewear brands sell thick high waisted ones as trousers.

My DC school uniform was all kids had school blazer from compulsory supplier.
Boys could wear black school trousers from anywhere ( DS has slim fit M and S ones)
Girls had to wear school pleated skirt (£25 each from school supplier) or unflattering trousers same colour as blazer (not black) ...but these must also be purchased from school supplier.
Which I thought was unfair.

It's obviously aimed at the girls. You know it, OP, you don't need to ask others opinions on it.

Tale as old as time. It was always the girls deviating from the school uniform policy and it still is (I live very close to 2 secondary schools). Although, we didn't go as far in the 80's as belts for skirts and over-the-knee socks! And why would anyone think that leggings were appropriate in school?

If you shop for generic boys grey or black school trousers, they are much of a muchness. Even if they are called slim or skinny, they don’t look much different on and it’s mainly based on the child’s build.

If you go shopping for the same item for girls, there is simply more variety - flared, skinny, all sorts of stuff including different lengths - which overall really do look different, and then you can choose from other black trousers - of which there are millions. Leggings included.

i can see why they’d restrict the girls’ trousers to the school branded ones. It isn’t sexist on the school’s part, it’s a response to the myriad of things girls could buy.

Interestingly the school closest to me, for very long time, certainly up to last year made girls wear their PE kit on days when they had PE so they didn’t have to change. The PE skirts (not skorts) were so short they were borderline obscene. Many girls wore joggers but in the height of summer they weren’t going to do that.