Charles Esther
A school in Essex is set to ban pupils from wearing skirts as part of its plan to become more inclusive and offer gender-neutral uniform options.
The decision, announced in a letter sent to parents this week, reveals that from September students at Honywood School will no longer be allowed to wear skirts.
Currently, pupils can choose between trousers or a school-branded skirt, but the new policy will limit choices to black trousers or black, knee-length, tailored shorts only.
Reasons Behind the Ban on Skirts
Headteacher James Saunders explained that the school had been facing ongoing issues with pupils wearing skirts incorrectly.
The letter, obtained by the Colchester Gazette, stated: “Over time, we have unfortunately experienced persistent issues with school skirts being worn incorrectly.”
It added that removing skirts as an option will eliminate these challenges and allow staff and students to focus entirely on learning.
The introduction of tailored shorts is also described as a move to provide a more gender-neutral choice for all pupils.
Additionally, the school believes this change may help families save money on uniform costs by replacing the skirt option.
Mixed Reactions from Parents and Community
The announcement has sparked a strong reaction from parents and the local community.
One anonymous parent expressed disappointment and accused the school of imposing a “group punishment” rather than a genuine gender-neutral policy.
She said her daughter, a Year 7 student, had already spent money on the school-branded skirt and called the change “crazy.”
The parent also criticized a previous rule introduced in September that banned female students from wearing socks, forcing them to wear tights year-round.
Social media responses varied widely. Some users questioned if banning skirts was discriminatory against girls, while others supported the change, noting that some students rolled their skirts too short.
One comment suggested the ban would prevent students from altering the skirt waistband to make them shorter.
Others called for stricter uniform enforcement and penalties for non-compliance, while some felt the change was an unnecessary interference with education.
School Leadership Defends the Policy
In a public letter shared on social media, Mr Saunders described the skirt ban as “not contentious.”
He said the policy follows a simple uniform model used by many schools across the country.
Mr Saunders reassured parents that the school will open a dialogue to gather their views and allow them to provide input on the uniform changes.
Other Schools Adopting Similar Policies
Honywood School joins several other secondary schools across England that have already moved to trousers-only uniform policies.
Schools like Canon Slade School in Bolton and Philips High in Whitefield, Bury, have also removed skirts from their uniform options starting this academic year.
This trend reflects a broader push towards more gender-neutral and inclusive uniform choices in schools nationwide.
