Girls not allowed to wear trousers

[mummybear701]

My children are going to a new primary as we are relocating (work reasons). I was aghast the uniform said girls can't wear trousers and have queried this, but the response was yes that is the rule. Daughter is not happy as thinks skirts are too girly, not just cold and impractical. She wears a skirt or dress about 3/4 times a year on average for special events only. Leggings aren't allowed either even under skirts. Who would think this still happens in 2014?

I am going to discuss it again with the HT and would like some advice. Our dilemma is the school by all accounts is very good academically and allowing children to develop, so the uniform may be a small price for the 2 years she will have.

Please don't say primaries cant enforce uniform. They can and will one way or the other.

Is something I would kick up an almighty stink about. It's outrageous - can you imagine any other situation where this would be OK? It's archaic and sexist and speaks volumes about the attitude of the management if they value this rule.

I am in same boat as beehatch although DD accepted culottes in winter ( no skirts or pinafores) and wears tailored shorts and occasionally a simple summer dress. She does not like skirts and dresses as one boy also laugh at seeing the girls knickers. People don't see the issue if they have a DD that likes skirts. If you don't it's a huge issue.you are immediately saying 'you are a girl, so you don't get to choose trousers as that's only a boy privilege"

I am also constantly gob smacked by independant schools who force girls into the most impractical daft outfits like sailor dresses

I can't believe how many apologists there are on this thread for something that is completely sexist! Saying that there is no legal precedent is just weaseling out - we need some strong legislation from the government which simply bans schools from doing this sort of thing. That should include independent schools too.

Schools who do this are relying on the fact that most parents don't want their children to be miserable at school, don't really have school choice anyway and don't have the money to pursue a court case.

Don't include me among the apologists. I certainly think the policy should change; even without a definitive legal ruling to say that a skirts-only policy is unlawful discrimination, it is outdated. I simply doubt that it will change at the behest of one parent (especially as there will almost certainly have been other similar approaches in the past; OP is unlikely to be the first parent to raise this).

Vote with your feet and choose another school? My dd won't wear trousers so have the opposite issue in winter as she refuses to wear them. She also hates tights so knee high socks and a pinafore. Her new school won't allow trousers either though so not an issue for us.

My DD's school doesn't allow skirts. It also insists on shorts for boys all year round. I find both policies ridiculous but most parents are quite conservative and seem to like it. My DD did actually bring up the issue of nobody being able to wear trousers even in the snow and I suggested she raise it with school council and ask for a rule change but she didn't want to.

My secondary school didn't allow girls to wear trousers. My friends and I wrote a letter of complain on the subject to the headteacher and the rules were changed. It was considered outdated even in the 1990s.

Doesn't allow trousers not skirts.

I have no advice but am amazed this is still an issue fifteen years after I was having the same discussion with the head of dd's primary who would not budge

Girls should be allowed to wear trousers at school end of.

Bloody hell I can't believe some schools are still enforcing these rules. I campaigned for girls to be allowed to wear trousers when I was at sschool and won, I would not be happy sending my child to a school with these uniform rules.

www.equalityhumanrights.com/your-rights/equal-rights/gender/sex-discrimination-in-education/education-your-rights

Our local primary school won't allow girls to wear trousers. If it's still the case when DD starts school in two years (assuming she gets a place there) I do intend on kicking up a stink about it. I've looked into it and from what I can work out the gender equality rules don't extend to children. These schools are forcing girls to wear clothing that's less practical and potential to expose their underwear during play. I don't think that's acceptable.

soon why on earth do you hate seeing girls in trousers?

Skirts aren't always practical. Tights are itchy.

Of course girls should be able to wear trousers.

Really surprised by people saying if you don't like it, either put up or get out. Times have moved on and this is an outdated artefact which hangs on by preposterous ideas of girls having to look 'nice'. Positive change happens precisely by people standing up, questioning rules (which are not set in stone - they were created once to serve a purpose and they can be recreated again), and engaging in discussion. Definitely challenge it.

And choosing another school isn't always an option anyway, in many places there is no choice you just get the school you are allocated a place at.

I would also challenge it.

If they wear bare legs in summer - that is a real skin cancer risk. Especially if they are required to wear a short sleeved summer dress.

soon I take it if trousers aren't feminine/smart you never wear them yourself?

My dd will start school Sept 2015 and I was thinking I will get her a mix of trousers and skirts/pinafores, basically whichever is practical and easy for her to dress herself. There are sone very nice tailored shorts as well and I have ds4's Old shorts she can wear if she wants. I will probably buy some summer dresses but they are very flimsy and as dd will be rriding to school shorts/trousers will be the most practical option.

Dd is wearing shorts today, they go to just above her knee and she has paired them with a dinosaur t shirt. She is three and looks like a three year old, they are comfortable and practical which is the most important thing with clothes imo.

I find it a silly argument to claim skirts are uncomfortable compared to trousers. It is a individual comfort thing. Personally I by far prefer skirts and tights to troussers. I find troussers restrictive and uncomfortable. Result is I mostly wear skirts. This includes my work uniform. I would never try to claim to others that they ought ro wear skirta as they are better I know each person will have their own comfort level.

All 3 of my dds have attended scbools were troussers are allowed for girls. All 3 of them have chosen to wear skirts as they preferred it. Ds has gone through way more troussers a year than any of gis sisters webt though tights. Again this is down to the individual.

I am all for girls being permitted skirts and troussers plus shorts. However make the argument about equality and not about individual taste and preferences.

TO OP I would suggest culottes for your dd and a talk about how sometimes we go with rules we dont nessesarily agree with. Plus how we can go about causing change to what we do not like

My DD2 always wears trousers to school, in fact she has the full "boys" school uniform. I would refuse to send her to a school that did not allow her to wear trousers, it's completely sexist. She's wearing the exact same uniform as the boys.

You can make the argument that wearing skirts limits playing choices - hanging upside down on a climbing frame in a skirt anyone - dear male head teachers - do this yourself and us girls will all line up and laugh at your knickers.

Yes, at DD's old school you got criticized on your choice of knickers, and so a lot of girls didn't do any vigorous play.

Also - is there a PE uniform? I bet it's shorts for both sexes. If it is, why is this short trouser ok for PE for girls but not playing in the playground?

My DD always wore trousers, skirts are totally impractical for playing in, particularly if you do cart wheels, hand stands etc. They are also warmer and last longer than tights. What twit invented tights? - leg coverings that can be destroyed by a twig!

My DD has to wear a short summer dress to school. They are all short, well above the knee. The boys apparently look up the dresses when the girls use the stairs, so they all wear their gym shorts underneath. Barmy.

The schools uniform rule has been in place for many years I am sure. Sometimes you have to conform to the rules, not everyone will like it, but in a school setting I strongly believe that it relates to discipline and being proud of your school.

I don't live in UK, and our girls do not wear trousers either. There is a school dress they wear in winter and summer (with short socks in summer and tights in winter).

If I think about it we have the opposite here, as even during summer the kids have to wear their blazers. They can take them off during class but leaving school or being out in uniform, then blazer is compulsory. But they look so smart when they are in full uniform and they have a pride about the school which is upheld.

Just because I knew they had to wear a blazer, wouldn't put me off enrolling him at the school. What happens in the school day is important, the school is good, discipline is good - to me that is more important to be honest.

If they wear bare legs in summer - that is a real skin cancer risk. Especially if they are required to wear a short sleeved summer dress.

Seriously?

It doesnt matter how many years it's been in place of its sexist!

And girls look smart in trousers.

Murphys - yes, seriously. The risk of damage leading to skin cancer in later life is far more serious in children. In women, most skin cancer is found on arms and legs. Children are playing outside at lunchtime and early afternoon sports in the very hottest part of the day, day after day. Why do you think that that is, miraculously, not a skin cancer risk?

swannery our primary are very good about reminding us to ensure the DCs have sun cream - DD2 uses hers independently. She wears smart city shorts in summer because once past Yr4 the girls 1) wouldn't be seen dead in a gingham dress and 2) yes, there is knicker ogling, and girls should not feel restricted from active play.

murphy your post is a shining example of obsession with appearance over substance.

My children's school dosnt allow girls in trousers & I personally think that girls look awful in school uniform trousers, there is a massive choice of skirts & tights when it's cold! Don't see issue with it at all.