Is it legal for a school to insist on girls wearing dresses?

[PetaPipa]

Or is it sex discrimination? This is just out of interest really but the school that my dd is going to go to has dresses for girls in its uniform letter, although they are apparently allowed to wear trousers if it is cold! There is no mention of whether a girl could choose to wear shorts in the summer rather than a dress.

most likely is just like its discrimation that boys have to wear trousers all year round (even in really hot temptures) when girls get the choice of wearing a skirt or trousers etc

yes, I agree. there was also no mention of boys being allowed to wear dresses! but boys can usually wear shorts in summer can't they?

I'm just wondering what the consequences would be if a girl decided to wear shorts to school. Or I suppose if a boy decided to wear a dress. if they are still wearing the school uniform can they be disciplined?

state primary? you've signed up to the uniform policy by signing the home school agreement.

However I doubt you would ha a problem with wearing trousers all year round. that could be a religious issue....

THe problem with girls wearing shorts is they aren't usually the bermuda length that the boys have and then we are into " too much leg showing /not decent"

Yes, state primary. I haven't signed anything yet.... It's not really an issue at the moment as my dd is perfectly happy in dresses but she goes through phases and I'm just interested in the issue as personally I think it is ridiculous and discriminatory. I worry that she'll stop climbing and doing physical play for fear of showing her knickers or something. I remember that being an issue when I was at school. But maybe things have changed.

IME (DD just finishing primary school) they are very unconcerned about exhibiting knickers. They do stop lifting their dresses to compare knickers in about year 2, but DD still hangs upside down on the bars with her knickers on view. She can wear shorts, but doesn't like them. Interestingly boys can only wear trouser

Well that is reassuring lonecat. I don't want her to be limited by her uniform.

my children have been at 4 different primary schools and not one let the boys wear shorts in the summer it was trousers only all year round (dont get me started on secondry school uniform having to wear a jumper and a blazer in june its totally not on ....)

Dont build a bridge to go and get a problem. GeeZ

I'm asking a question DressMe I'm not suing the school!

worridmum, at this school boys can wear shorts in the summer, but not, apparently, the girls.

At our primary, boys winter uniform is trousers plus , summer: shorts or trousers, polo shirt or shirt.

Girls can wear skirts/pinafores/trousers in winter or summer, summer dresses, but no shorts. In year 6, the girls can wear a polo shirt and skirt.

DD1 (8) has no problem about showing her knickers, but apparently they now have to wear PE shorts if the will be upside down she is not developed in any way. Let her be a kid.

AuditAngel that is ridiculous! So they have to plan ahead, before playing on the climbing frame??? Why don't they just let them wear shorts if they are that bothered?! It's good to know the children are not concerned. I just thought maybe there would be teasing if someone showed their pants and there are so many reasons why girls stop doing physical play and sport, I don't want another reason to worry about!

A ban on trousers would probably not hold up in court if anyone was minded to take it that far. A ban on boys wearing skirts would probably would fall foul of equalities law too, I suspect.

I always remember this case:

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/654179.stm