Girls wearing trousers to school

[GirlsWearTheTrousers15]

Is anybody else's daughter not allowed to wear trousers to school? My daughter is not allowed. I think this is very unfair. What do other people feel?

It is unfair op, is this a private or state school?
If state I would be getting in touch with mp etc and maybe gauge the level of support of other parents.

Not come across this in decades - where are you all living that has got itself stuck in a 1960/1970s timewarp ?

Write to the HT
Write to the Governors.
Get School Council to put forward a sensible alternative.

@Idefix, it is a private school.

@BackforGood, I have contacted the HT, and the Chair of Governors, but they are firmly against change
and do not allow an open discussion with other parents. The School Council has refused to discuss any matter different to fundraising events.

Back I have taught in three schools (state) with a skirt only rule.

I think the fact it is private is where you will come to a sticking point. The school will view you accepted this rule when you signed your dd contract to attend.

I don't mean this to seem tough but it is like joining a tennis club that stipulates white only and you turn up in pink.

If it really irks our dd I would start to explore other school options or unfortunately suck it up and focus on the other benefits that going to this school will bring.

Wow Shiningdew - I'm amazed.
I live in a pretty densely populated city, so see pupils from dozens, nay, hundreds of schools over a year, and all (Primary and Secondary) have a trouser option.

scarydinosaur - why do you think skirt only is simpler? Surely in a mixed school, trousers only is the easy option, especially since it instantly rules out any issues of skirt length. (Though dd's school uniform rules specify that trousers must fall below the ankle bone, so obviously someone tried the same trick with trousers . . . )

a lot of academy schools have those kilts for girls as well with no trouser option.

My daughter has worn trousers since year 9, and she was not the only one. State grammar school, girls only. Now in 6th Form trousers/skirts are worn maybe 50/50 - business smart dress code.

Local mixed comp has a skirt only rule for girls - stupid imo.

OP, I feel for you. My DD would have been very unhappy if they'd had this rule, and she was perfectly happy to wear skirts in year 7 - I certainly didn't check the uniform rules to find out if they allow trousers.

You will have signed a contract saying you'd adhere to the rules.
You bought into the school and its ethos.
Wah wah I didn't read the school rules and terms of contract, now in going to complain waaah waaaah

Tough luck

Let it be a lesson for your child and tou to a) do some research before financially committing to something and b) realise life isn't fair and sometimes you just have to do what you're told.

Also by making an issue if this uniform so late, you will have a fucking awful reputation with the school and she will too by association you'll be "that parent".

DS has just started a state secondary where kilts are the only option for girls.

Sadik I have no idea why it is easier, but it is. Maybe because school regulation skirt is easy to spot and therefore no one tries to deviate from it anyway, whereas with trousers you have all kinds of awkwardness with 'too tight, too flared, too tapered' ugh. Fuck of, I just want to teach.

Personally, I like school uniform as long as it is simple. It's a shame that it can't be something comfortable, flattering and practical. Maybe they should all wear boiler suits. That would solve everything.

I had the same problem at my daughter's primary school but I found that common sense doesn't prevail with this issue and a few of us had to push hard for a change in the uniform policy. All we wanted was the option. My daughter is now at secondary school and most girls wear skirts even though trousers are permitted. I believe this is due to society and peer pressure, however, I'm proud that my daughter chooses to wear trousers still and she's pleased that she's not having to cope with tights every day!

I wouldn't send my daughters to a school like this - the sexism would be an absolute deal breaker for me. Parents need to start taking equality seriously and voting with their feet, schools would sort themselves out soon enough. Obviously if there is no local school choice then the problem remains, so we also need some political campaigning to get the sexism out of state schools.

Given that it's an independent school, you are on shaky ground. The best route would be for DD to campaign, if she feels strongly. There is generally some sort of school (pupil) council. She could stand for election on a platform of uniform reform. She would need to do her research, get lots of facts to back up her views, and be prepared for a long process.

Always assuming she is bothered enough, of course.

Compulsory for girls to be in skirts and tights here.

My daughter has to wear a skirt and she, and almost everyone around her, is fine with this. Most schools have these rules and I dont see why there should be any objections...

No reason to see objections? What about blatant sexism?

My dd's have to wear a skirt to school (independent), which dd1 is not happy with. They also had to wear skirts or dresses to their state primary, and our first choice state secondary was skirts only.

I work in an opticians and have to wear a skirt to work. I nearly declined the job offer because I felt so uncomfortable about it.

Shining -- are you joking?

Aside from other considerations, there is an internal inconsistency in your last comment: What, exactly, do you consider to be "women's clothing"?

More to the point: The considerations of children who are considering gender re-alignment or who are somewhere on the spectrum of transgender are beyond the scope of this thread. (ie I don't think OP is suggesting her daughter identifies as a boy and thus wants to wear trousers.) The underlying point OP has raised is whether children should wear the uniform prescribed by their school. Following the rules of an organisation is one of the important life lessons children can receive in school -- ie they don't chose their own timetable; they don't decide whether or not to do homework (at least not without repercussions); they don't decide whether to attend a particular class or, instead, sit out in the sun; etc etc Similarly, they don't decide what to wear or how to cut their hair if the school has a particular uniform.

When they go to parties, they adhere to dress codes ("fancy dress"; formal; beach wear, etc). When they begin work, they'll be required to adhere to their employers dress code; etc. One of the important lessons children should learn in school is where they can and should exercise individual choice/style/etc and where and when they should adhere to the standards of an organisation.

As someone whose own secondary school changed the rules to allow girls to wear trousers when I was there over 25 years ago I am shocked and appalled that all the local secondary schools where I now live (outer London borough) have a skirt only uniform policy for girls. Unlike a pp I did turn down a job with an organisation that would not allow it's female staff the choice of wearing dresses or trousers/tunic. I too would have no problem with a unisex uniform policy allowing either gender to wear skirts or trousers. If a boy wants to wear a skirt to school he may be taking the piss which is likely to get boring if he gets no reaction from the teachers or he may be exploring his gender role in which case may need support. I agree with pp's who have stated that this is sanctioned sexism that needs challenging.

Okay private schools around here do not allow girls to wear trousers. Admittedly the trousers girls are allowed to wear are often not very nice but then some of the skirts are pretty horrible.