Schools in one UK region ban skirts as all kids must wear 'practical' trousers
An education trust has faced backlash after it announced that schools in one UK region will be forced to introduce a ban on skirts - making the environment more "inclusive".
Students across six schools in Teesside have been told that their "uniform will no longer include skirts as an option". The rule change comes from Northern Education Trust - which manages numerous secondary schools in the region.
The trust said that swapping skirts out for tailored trousers is more "practical". However, some parents have hit out at the policy, with one mum branding the move as "outragous misogyny".
In a letter published online across four of its Teesside secondary schools, the trust says: "From September 2026, the school uniform will no longer include skirts as an option, and all students will be expected to wear tailored school trousers. This decision has been made following careful consideration and feedback from all stakeholders across the trust, where it highlighted the benefits of a more practical, inclusive, and consistent uniform policy.
"The move to trousers for all students promotes equality and inclusivity, ensuring all students feel comfortable and supported. Trousers are also more practical for active learning and movement throughout the school day, while simplifying uniform requirements helps reduce costs for families. We understand that this is a significant change, which is why we are providing over a year's notice to allow time for any necessary adjustments."
But the change has been met with backlash from some parents. One mum, whose daughter attends a school within the trust, told Teesside Live: "My daughter and many of her friends are upset about it. Many girls choose to wear skirts to express their gender identities. It is outrageous misogyny. There's nothing open, modern and inclusive about this."
She claims there was students and parents were not consulted on this, however the trusts says it spoke with a "significant number of students" to ask their opinion.
Limit on compulsory branded items
In the letter, the trust says these changes are in response to the Department of Education changing its guidance on school uniforms to make them more affordable for families. The key change, the trust outlines, is a limit on the number of branded uniform items schools can require.
The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill will cap the number of branded items to three - with the addition of a branded tie allowed for secondary schools. From September 2026, at the trust's secondary schools, the only compulsory branded items will include a school blazer, school tie, and the PE top - with the trust adding it will no longer allow plain black T-shirts for this propose.
All other uniform items, such as trousers, shirts, shoes, and PE bottoms, can be purchased from any retailer, provided they adhere to the school's colour and style guidelines. A spokesperson for the trust said: "Northern Education Trust is extremely mindful of the cost of school uniforms for parents, and has been considering the impact of this for a number of months, and of the forthcoming changes to government legislation. Alongside this, consideration was given to no longer including skirts as an option, and we have spoken to a significant number of students to ask their opinion about this.
"As a result of positive feedback to this suggestion, it was decided that all secondary students should wear tailored school trousers from September 2026, as highlighted in the letter to parents earlier this month. The decision to delay implementation of the change until 2026 was to give families plenty of time to prepare so that they could make an informed choice when purchasing items this year, as well as saving costs on having to repeatedly replace tights.
"A very small number of parents have raised concerns which have been discussed with individuals, but the vast majority of responses to the notification have been very positive. We cannot comment on individual cases, and we always ask parents to contact us directly to discuss any concerns they have about such changes."
The Teesside schools under the Northern Education Trust
Dyke House Academy, Hartlepool
Freebrough Academy, Brotton
The Grangefield Academy, Stockton (letter not published online at time of publication)
Manor Community Academy, Hartlepool
North Shore Academy, Stockton
Thornaby Academy, Thornaby (letter not published online at time of publication)
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