UK schools are ditching skirts for unisex trousers in uniforms, citing practical issues like skirt length monitoring and public complaints. This move aims to promote equality and inclusivity, reducing distinctions between genders. While some parents protest, citing a loss of choice and expression, experts debate whether this places undue responsibility on girls.
Schools in UK have begun banning skirts as part of school uniforms due to problems of teachers having to regularly monitor skirt lengths and complaints from the public that they are too short. Now, they are focusing on practical grounds and making clothing more inclusive by removing labels of “girls” and “boys”. Several schools have made efforts to streamline uniforms by changing them to blazers and unisex trousers.
Skirts hinder equality?
Brynteg School, located in Bridgend, South Wales shared a newsletter earlier this month, banning skirts from September. For the school, a streamlined uniform “reduces pressure on families, removes unnecessary distinctions and ensures every pupil can feel comfortable and confident.”As per Walbottle Academy, wearing trousers would also promote inclusivity and equality and help with learning and comfort. Two other schools, Newhouse Academy and Dixons Newall Green Academy, were quicker to ban skirts back in September 2025.However, The Warriner School stepped back from the idea after protests from families. Elizabeth Gray, account manager at supplier Your School Uniform told BBC that some parents protest against the change with the view that students should still have a choice.
New law for uniforms
A new government legislation restricts branded uniforms to three items plus a tie in an effort to reduce costs for parents. This has largely propagated the change to trousers. Gray shared how some mixed-gender secondary schools were now implementing a trousers-only policy. Those still offering skirts were choosing to put a branded logo at the waistband to discourage rolling and making them shorter. “Schools report that staff were spending a disproportionate amount of time monitoring skirt length and managing related equality issues. Some schools have also received complaints from members of the public regarding the length of skirts worn by pupils while travelling to and from school,” she said. Helen Burton, from Junipers Uniform, a supplier said that she had seen schools allowing girls to wear trousers, without banning skirts. “What has shaken pretty much every school up is the new law limiting the number of branded uniform items. All schools that we deal with are absolutely incensed by this legislation,” she said.Two schools that work with the supplier are looking to drop the day uniform entirely and switch to PE kits. “One school told me that children go into school at least three days a week in their PE kits already.”
Do experts agree?
In January, The Times reported that primary schools that switched to PE-style kits saw improvements in academic attainment, well-being, and attendance. However, according to Dr Madeleine Pownall, associate professor in psychology at Leeds University, banning skirts sends the message that girls are responsible for protecting themselves from objectification and sexualisation. “I’d much rather the conversation focus on creating professional, practical uniform standards that don’t place that burden on girls, and on teaching consent and respect, making it clear that managing behaviour and professionalism is everyone’s responsibility,” she said to the BBC.Some parents nodded to the view. They claimed the ban “disregards the female students and their right to express their femininity.” A mother shared with The Telegraph that a more “phased approach” that replaced the uniform as it’s outgrown would have been preferred. “School uniform is expensive and this seems wasteful,” she added.
