Do all private schools require girls to wear skirts/dresses?

[mumofCR]

Hi, I'm thinking of sending my daugher to a local private school - with a pretty heavy heart. And when I went to look at it, during that freezing cold snap, realised that all the girls were wearing skirts. They even have to wear skirts over their gymn leggings! I've been informed that skirts are standard in ALL private schools in the UK. Is this true?

I thought this kind of thing disappeared in the 70s? Can't see the logic of demanding this, especially during cold periods. All that faff with tights which make your legs itch. Let alone the inconvenience when running or undertaking any kind of physical activity. The only benefit is for the boys who can spend infinate amounts of time looking up skirts. Or have a missed some great advantage?

That's up to you Hula, but you shouldn't HAVE to. Nor should girls.

I know they were made by a taylor called Pink whose long dead so the term "pink coat" is most likely to be incorect.

Blimey, I'm confused. Are we talking about hunting garb, or Thomas Pink designer stuff?

Either way, yes, those boys must blend right in!

seeker said "the pink coats for unmentionable activities" so I'm talking about hunting. My DS not not have any Thomas Pink designer stuff either the last clothes he bought himself was a pair of rather uninspiring track suit bottoms from the Winchester Oxfam shop!

Another reason not to use private schools then.

My school never changed the uniform because parents relied on the 2nd hand shop. Trousers were not introduced after consultation with parents who didn't want to be faced with the additional cost. Our skirts were around GBP50 new and GBP10 in the 2nd hand shop in the early 90's (I know this because my Dad had to buy me 2 new skirts because the 2nd hand store didn't have any 19" skirts for a skinny weed of an 11 yr old and the 20" one was falling off me). We also had two uniforms (everyday and formal). I don't blame the parents for not wanting trousers to be introduced.

I was just responding to the "none of the teachers..." comment.

i do have a dress code, as does most schools I have worked in. No jeans it the most common one. No, it doesn't say no trousers.

But this is a school. And if it is an independent one - then people have a choice. Accept the uniform or don't go there. It's that simple.

As for state schools - if it is primary, no primary state school can insist on uniform at all. So, if people feel strongly about it, then don;t wear it.

Whoever said about boaters, for us they were summer uniform only (we had a tricorn in winter) and we wore them to and from school, but also at break and lunch when we played out on sunny days, so no need for a sunhat/cap on the uniform list.

Regarding skirts, I wore from year 3 onwards (a pinafore before that) and still wear skirts now the majority of the time. With tights, they're just as warm as trousers, if not warmer. And whoever mentioned avoiding the soggy hems, definitely! And you can't roll trousers up

DD's uniform did change about 4 years ago now, due to issues with the original suppliers. It was done in consultation with the girls on the school council (reps from every class) and all girls were asked for their opinions. It overwhelmingly came back as skirts. The little ones chose to keep pinafores, and the juniors requested skirts instead of the pinafores. Trousers were discussed and they just weren't wanted. The girls themselves did not want them.

Besides school trousers for girls, on the whole, are horrid looking things.

OP-What concerns me about your post is that you say you're considering sending your daughter to a private school - with a pretty heavy heart. Is this just because of the uniform or other issues too? If you have visited the school and don't feel comfortable about sending her there for other reasons apart from uniform then maybe it's not the school for your daughter? If you send your children to private school you will be expected to buy into the whole philosopy of a private education and smart uniforms are usually part of that philosophy. Skirts are probably considered to be more feminine and more 'ladylike' which is why girls have to wear them. I went to an all girls public school and wore a skirt throughout my schooldays until Sixth Form but now wear jeans most of the time as I am a SAHM. I must admit that I do like wearing skirts though as I do feel more feminine and I know my DH feels the same!

For secondary - again, if independent - make the choice to not go if you don't like the uniform.

If state - speak to school. See why they don't offer trousers as an option. Might be the overall pupil decision, may be school reasons. But in most cases - you still get to choice - go and wear the uniform or look at another school.

None of that is the point Hula.

The point is that it is discriminatory, sexist, repulsive and old-fashioned to force skirts.

"The point is that it is discriminatory, sexist, repulsive and old-fashioned to force skirts."
I may be anti ridiculous uniform but I dont think even I would take it that far. I don't see sensible simple skirts as any of these. I wore a skirt all through my school career and never thought anything about it. Maybe I'm don't have a feminist bone in my body because I just dont see being forced wearing skirts as repulsive or discriminatory any more than forcing boys to wear ties is. I currently wear skirts/dresses to work I think they just look smarter.

Skirts are probably considered to be more feminine and more 'ladylike' which is why girls have to wear them."

Did I just read that? You are joking? Please tell me you're joking?

My state school dd has two Thomas Pink shirts!!

How is saying that girls should be allowed to wear trousers taking things too far?

Hello? Twenty-first century anyone?

And think about it logically, if nothing else. The minute that are outside school, and when they have left school, they no longer HAVE to wear skirts. So why, for the love of all things rational, do they have to wear them in school?

Isn't school where it is all the more important that girls learn what is and isn't possible?

Why teach them they have to wear skirts? Be careful of their knickers? Not turn cartwheels? Sit in a certain way?

"The minute that are outside school, and when they have left school, they no longer HAVE to wear skirts. So why, for the love of all things rational, do they have to wear them in school?"
Following that agruement then schools should do away with uniform not something I'm against by the way.

No, a unisex uniform of plain trousers and top is fine, something children can move in, paint in and cartwheel in, because the environment is unique: being lumped in with all peers, and therefore opportunities for appearance-competition are best limited.

Differentiating and imposing oudated sexist clothing differences isn't.

But Hully, that's not very feminine, is it? How will they learn to be lady like, dressed like that

I think the idea that independent schools are promoting lady like behaviour is based like so much guff written on MN about independent schools on -jealousy- uninformed prejudice. Most people haven?t got the faintest idea what goes on in many independent schools it suits people?s views of them to assume that girls have to be lady like and that the children wonder around in designer labels braying at those who are state educated . I would love to know where you this information came from.

Scatter did you really wear a tricorn? Like Napoleon? I'm trying to imagine what a crocodile of little girls in Napoleon hats would look like. Did you have capes?

The point is thought that this is an ndependent school. They make the rules. You decide if you want to use the school based on those rules. It isn't like you are forced to use the service they offer after all.

But saying trousers only is as bad if you go that route. Who wants soggy trouser bottoms every wet day?!