Skirt Ban for Inclusivity? Parents Aren’t Happy

A parent has criticised an education trust’s decision to ban skirts under its new school uniform policy.

Northern Education Trust, which runs six secondary schools across Teesside, has provided parents with written documentation of the upcoming changes to their policy, effective September 2026.

The new and updated uniform policy prohibits skirts from being worn. It states that all students will be required to wear tailored school trousers. 

The trust states that this new policy, requiring all students to wear school trousers, “promotes equality and inclusivity”. It continues to state that this change will be “more practical for active learning and movement throughout the school day.”

However, the new change has made some parents erupt in shock, disbelief and criticism. They say they were not included in this decision nor were they consulted before the policy was formalised.

One mother of a daughter who attends the school has shared that both her daughter and her friends are upset about the news. She stated, ‘Many girls choose to wear skirts to express their gender identities. It is outrageous misogyny. There’s nothing open, modern and inclusive about this.’

The trust shared that it spoke with many students to get their opinion on it before implementing the change.

According to a letter shared online across four of its Teesside secondary schools, the trust confirmed that as of September 2026, skirts would be excluded from the uniform policy, and all students would be expected to wear proper fitting trousers instead.

The trust stated the following, ‘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.’

According to the trust, the changes follow new government guidelines to help reduce the cost of uniforms for families.

The trust highlights that the main change is a cap on the number of branded uniform items that schools are allowed to require.

Under the Children’s Wellbeing and School’s Bill, schools may not require more than three branded items plus a branded tie for secondary students.

Now, with the new rules, effective September 2026, the trust’s secondary schools will mandate just three branded items: a school blazer, tie and PE top. The trust has clarified that plain black t-shirts will no longer be acceptable for PE. Parents looking to purchase uniform items may do so at any retailer, providing they follow the school’s policy, colour scheme and style policies. (For example – trousers, shirts, and shoes.)

A spokesperson for the trust stated, ‘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 save 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 operated by Northern Education Trust include Dyke House Academy in Hartlepool, Freebrough Academy in Brotton, The Grangefield Academy in Stockton, Manor Community Academy in Hartlepool, North Shore Academy in Stockton, and Thornaby Academy in Thornaby.