Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Girls not allowed to wear trousers

80 replies

threelittlerapscallions · 01/09/2016 07:13

DD (5) is going in to year 1 next week and girls not allowed to wear trousers at her state primary above foundation stage (so just reception and Nursery allowed). is this normal? I assumed all primaries now allow trousers option for girls.

I will speak to the head but just wondered what other primaries do.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BarbarianMum · 01/09/2016 11:56

Around here uniform lists are unisex (although I've yet to see a boy in a skirt). 40 years ago my mum was in your position - she just sent me in in trousers, told the Head not to be ridiculous when he complained and somehow the rule just went away. 40 years later my mum is still very no nonsense and I still don't wear skirts .

StillRabbit · 01/09/2016 18:07

My daughter wasn't allowed trousers at her primary or secondary school. Out of my local primary schools I'd say less than half allow girls to wear trousers. Secondary school wise...I can only think of two local secondaries that allow girls to wear trousers.

AnotherUsernameBitesTheDust · 01/09/2016 18:18

I didn't know this still happened. I hated wearing skirts to school but back then no trousers for girls. Now every school here let's girls wear trousers - primary and secondary, even the nearest girls school (though I've heard they're so hideous no one wears them, I've certainly never seen a girl in them!)

I hate this "pick another school then" No, challenge stupid bloody rules. Not everyone gets a choice either.

jamdonut · 01/09/2016 21:19

Girls can wear either skirts or trousers at our primary, but when they go up to secondary, they can ONLY wear trousers. Skirts are not part of the uniform!

bumpetybumpbumpbump · 01/09/2016 21:22

When I was at primary school we never had school uniform !!

Of course if it Said no trousers I wouldn't send my daughter in trousers but it strikes me as a little archaic and daft not allowing girls to wear trousers. Trousers can look smarter than some skirts and dresses.

Solves the problem of showing knickers when doing cartwheels/sitting crossed legged etc

Hockeydude · 01/09/2016 21:27

Girls aren't "allowed" to wear trousers at our primary. However, I am not sure what they would do if a girl wore trousers, perhaps nothing.

Also, if only one girl wore trousers she would probably get asked by every kids she encounters why she is wearing them. My dd wore trousers in nursery for a bit but when the other girls were in skirts and dresses, she wanted to be as well.

Pretty shit IMO. Trousers and "boys" trainer type black shoes are much more practical in winter.

smellyboot · 01/09/2016 23:18

All schools in our area have girls in trousers. Only one RC church school has a skirts for girls policy. Even there I have spotted the odd girl with trousers. At our huge community school a lot wear trousers and shorts in summer. In yr 5/6 at least half wear trousers. Loads wear boots or 'boys' shoes in winter. It's one of the many reasons I love our school so much. Every high school within our LA has trousers and skirt options at secondary ( except private schools).
I'd go berserk if they said my skirt averse DD had to wear one. She wears one occasionally, but enjoys all options.

sashh · 02/09/2016 09:59

I believe that at primary school uniform is not compulsory so there is no way they can enforce skirts only.

My secondary was skirts only, and all girls so we couldn't argue that it was not sexist. Who the hell things that it's OK to stop girls wearing trousers in snow! We were not even allowed to wear trousers to and from school.

It is a church of england primary, not an academy.

Do you have a large Muslim population near by? My uniform was at least partially to deter Muslim girls, your skirt had to be knee length with socks so you couldn't cover up your knees.

Kit30 · 02/09/2016 10:24

Agree that girls should be allowed to wear trousers and wonder why it's even an issue. Maybe it's not? I'd check with the school first if only because I'd hate for my DD to be singled out or feel awkward because she's in the 'wrong uniform' on her first day at big school. Does she have a marked preference herself?
Off topic I've noticed the increasing trend for girls to wear shorts under skirts/dresses over the summer.

Kit30 · 02/09/2016 10:27

Oh and I wore trousers to junior school back in the day ( very cold, snowing and long walk) but explained to my headmaster that it was okay because of the sex incrimination act. He laughed to o much t tell me off and the rules were relaxed after that

NotCitrus · 02/09/2016 11:05

I was also wondering whether they are subtly trying to deter Muslims - our school is about 30% Muslims from various cultures and most of the girls do wear trousers, often loose baggy ones rather than supermarket uniform (though often just because they buy them from the same shops the parents get their clothes from, rather than any aversion to typical school trousers).

fisharefriendsnotfood · 02/09/2016 11:10

Check out Trousersforall.co.uk

PumpkinPie9 · 02/09/2016 11:27

sex incrimination act

Helenluvsrob · 02/09/2016 12:24

Isn't the answer " today I'm self identifying as a boy" LOL

Seriously it's bonkers! I had to fight the infants in about 2004 as regards my youngest wearing trousers I didn't think it still existed. You certainly couldn't do it round here now as we are nicely multicultural and it wouldn't be acceptable for the Muslim girls not to cover their legs.

I'm not going to be drawn into " modest dress for small girls" arguments , because it's irrelevant at age 5-11 . Uniform needs to be comfy, functional and practical for being a kid in. Trousers are

Bogburglar75 · 02/09/2016 12:32

Ours allows pretty much anything on the bottom half as long as it's grey or black. DD wore trousers in reception, pinnies through Y1 when she had a particular girly stage. This year she's asked for trousers - she is quite the gymnast and I think prefers trousers to get round the cartwheels/knickers dilemma.

I can see no reason for not allowing uniform trousers for girls and if the school objects I would push back. Can always go to governors if Head is difficult.

MiaowTheCat · 02/09/2016 12:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Idliketobeabutterfly · 02/09/2016 14:25

Only think that is no no for girls here is pinafore dresses.

PumpkinPie9 · 02/09/2016 15:57

Ties and polo shirts?

OhTheRoses · 03/09/2016 07:43

Tights are as warm as trousers. DD looked divine at primary in her tunic, tights, and t bar shoes.

It isn't even as though school uniform trousers for girls are particularly nicely cut or comfortable either. DS wore shorts in primary - even in the snow. Didn't get cold at all.

Most secondary age girls prefer the "long belt" route rather than trousers in any event.

Original poster

threelittlerapscallions · 03/09/2016 12:42

Trousers are on the list for Dds school in the local uniform shop. Am sure it will be fine as the head is lovely - can't see him making a fuss. Was a number of other Mums who told me they were not allowed as they were not under the former bonkers head (bonkers for other reasons not just about the trousers!). I reckon trousers more comfortable and practical for their age - DD will not care if she is the only girl wearing them as she may very well be!

OP posts:

smellyboot · 03/09/2016 20:49

There are loads of different styles and cuts of girls tousers. No idea why anyone would think they didn't look good or comfortable.
My DD would not have been seen dead in a tunic, tights and t bar shoes and nor would several at her school.
Surely it's not about looking 'adorable?'
Ours spend a lot of reception out in the outdoor classroom and on their hands and knees on the floor or on cushions or the carpet. Trousers are very practical and easier to get on and off on PE days.
The number wearing trousers increases as they move up the school..from about 30% in reception to at least half by yr3. Our local high schools are all 50-50

bumpetybumpbumpbump · 03/09/2016 21:47

Tights are PITA
Argh tights! Sagging At the crotch holey toes, getting on and off for PE, not to mention when they get them on in the morning and the feet aren't right-the line across the toes is ALL wrong, the heel bit is half way up the leg!

got my dd some gorgeous ski pant type trousers, comfy ones from asda and smart, pretty, well cut ones from m and s

With pockets-they have to have pockets

Shurelyshomemistake · 03/09/2016 22:13

If she wants to wear trousers just send her in trousers. Life is much to short for daft rules and also this would probably not stack up under the Equality Act 2010 which incidentally is the only legislation actually directly relevant to school uniform.

Shurelyshomemistake · 03/09/2016 22:17

Incidentally my kids' schools allow both skirts and trousers for all children.

Actually the school admissions code says that school uniform must not act to discourage any particular group from applying for a place so a rule that blanket banned girls from wearing anything other than short skirts would likely be non-compliant with the code.

BiscuitMillionaire · 03/09/2016 22:28

I was quite impressed when I got the info letter on the (quite strict) school uniform for DS's new secondary school and there were no separate items listed for girls and boys, just a list of clothes.

Flip

1 2 3 4