Length of school skirt

[TheLathums]

Went to a high school transition event tonight and the presentation included a long and very detailed set of non-negotiables regarding school uniform. Length of skirt featured heavily.
They said it should be 'knee-length'. Of all the pupils who were helping at the event, none were wearing what I would describe as knee-length skirts. They were all at least 'above the knee'. So what does knee-length actually mean at the high schools you know of?
My daughter is quite tall and has a tiny waist, so a school skirt that properly fits her waist will almost certainly finish above her knee.
I don't want her to get into trouble, but she'll also hate me if I buy a size that hangs off her and is (in her opinion) too long.
Her school skirts will be branded and logoed, so I can't shop around for different styles.
Please advise!

Ours also says knee length (they all roll them up) but they come in waist sizes from 22” to 38” and three lengths 20”, 22”, 24”

my 16 yo has worn the same skirt from Y7 to Y11, and has gone from about 5’ to 5’7”

And the skirts also have elastic and a button in the waists to make them adjustable

Knee length when I was at school meant of you knelt on the floor, the skirt skimmed thr floor.

Knees length at my exceptionally strict school meant it touched the floor when you were on your knees.

Thankfully dc1s secondary doesn't have these ridiculous requirements and their uniform policy simply says "x skirt from y supplier". Given they all wear completely opaque tights, I can't see why the length of the skirt matters at all.

But, to address your point, they come in hard with the rules in transition and y7 to try and get some level of conformity, but all girls will roll up their skirt at some point.

Of course if you are in Newcastle, "nee length" is probably more realistic than "knee length".

Don't internalise this nonsense! Let her choose her own skirt length.

I know it's all bonkers batshit but I want her to feel like she fits in whilst not getting reprimanded.
I also thought the way it was broached was a bit off.
It pissed me off to be honest, but I don't want to make a name for myself just yet!

make sure there is enough length in the skirt.
then worry about the waist adjustment, a seamstress can help get the fit she likes with the length the school is aiming for.

@TheLathums skirts that are knee length in September won't be knee length in June. That is why the girls at the event had skirts above the knee - they grow. No school expects parents to fork out for new uniform in the summer term. Concentrate on getting it right for the start of term then see what happens.

Knees length at my exceptionally strict school meant it touched the floor when you were on your knees.

Yes, let's add more humiliation to checking the length of the skirt by making the girls kneel.

You just have to hope common sense is applied. Of course its going to sit differently amd be longer/shorter depending on the body shape of the child. As long as its not visible its been rolled up tbey probably won't say anything. After all its not like you can chop her legs off is it.

We had the same instructions when my daughter went through transition. We were in the same position - she’s very tall for her age and very slender. She got hassle initially from staff weirdly obsessed with the subject (if only they were as passionate about teaching!), eventually a quick email asking why they were so insistent on sexualising children did the trick. They’ve left her alone since.

I understand what you mean @TheLathums about what “knee length” actually means. I would translate that to mean them of the skirt it either touching the middle or bottom of the knee - not resting on the top of the knee.
But seeing the many many new Year 7s starting each September in their brand new skirts (several different schools near me but most have “kilt” style) it appears that knee length actually means touching the top of the knee.
I am meaning the girls are wearing their skirts as they are meant to be - not rolled up or anything. The schools obviously class “knee length” as touching the top of the knee.
(Personally I think it’s a horrible style and unflattering).
You should contact the school for confirmation that knee length means “the hem is touching the top of the knee”. If they say yes then your daughter can’t get in trouble.

the hem of the skirt that should say. Not “them of the skirts”

DDs school asks for knee length.

We went to the uniform shop, the expert staff seemed to be able to look at the child and pass them the correct size to try on. Skirts had waist sizes and lengths, so no trouble getting correct skirts for tall slim girls.

@PuttingDownRoots but what do you believe “knee length” to be?
Below the knee?
On the middle of the knee?
Resting on the top of the knee?

It appears her school classifies it as touching the knee.

Tbh I've more of a problem that boys have been sent to isolation for cutting their hair to short this week. Skirts can be sorted, hair takes a while to grow back!

I agree, it was fucking hideous. And they didn't allow trousers for girls (or female staff).

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz this is why I hate school uniforms.
Everyone is a different body shape and clothes will fit differently.
If they are insisting on a certain style skirt it’s simply not going to fit or be the “correct” length for everyone.
Measuring the length of skirts is such a waste of a schools time.

My DD's (all girls) school have the 'skirts must be around knee length' rule. They talk about it A LOT and proclaim that their uniform rules are 'strictly enforced'. In reality, once past Yr7, 99% of the girls roll their skirts up to buttock skimming length and absolutely nothing is done, (I assume the teachers have better things to do, like teaching). I do insist that DD wears a pair of black shorts underneath though!

DD's school interpret it as "around the knee", so just below, on the knee and just above.

Most Y7 will start with below the knee and by June they are above the knee.

Rolled up skirt means immediate negative behaviour point but it only is really visable in Summer when they don't wear their jumpers and blazers. I told DD to ensure her blouse is pulled loose so thick sausage roll can't be immediately seen.

Most uniform shops sell the skirts in a variety of waist and length combination but ours also offers a tailoring if necessary and you are totally out of the usual sizes. These stupid pleated kilts are a nightmare and even my seamstress friend refuses to touch them to change her daughter's and paid for the service instead.

Personally, knee lenght sounds like a good lenght. I am horrified when I see how short are the girls school skirts. When they bend or jump I can see their knickers. It is for their own safety.

But I do understand that the skirts are sold not taking into consideration how tall are the girls.

I also think that skirt should be optional as the shorts should be optional. If a girl wants she should be allowed to wear trousers.

Totally agree with this!
My dd's school skirts only come in 20" and 22" lengths. She's been wearing a 22" one since Year 7 when it was just below the knee. Dread to think how short it will be when she is in Year 11!

They all roll them up anyhow. I got my daughter the 'correct' length and she was mortified and ended up rolling it up about 6 times and getting detention!

My daughter is quite short (5’0” at 16) so a skirt on here was much longer than her peers, which she was getting stressed about! So I used hemming tape on the bottom to turn it up a little, had to do that for 5 years and that was always fun on a pleated skirt! 😁