A secondary school has revealed proposals for all pupils to wear trousers as part of a ‘gender-neutral uniform’ – in a bid to promote inclusivity.
Parents at The Whitstable School in Kent received a letter saying that local residents and businesses had complained about ‘inappropriate skirt lengths’ – particularly when pupils are outside the comprehensive’s grounds.
It added that some girls had been feeling pressured to wear the garments shorter than the school policy allows to try to fit in, leading to increased anxiety and self-consciousness.
Headteacher Alex Holmes said he is now considering a ban on skirts and suggested the introduction of ‘trousers as a gender-neutral uniform for all students’.
He said this was part of the school’s commitment to ‘promoting inclusivity’ and ‘maintaining high standards’.
Mr Holmes insisted that this is a consultation stage and he will only implement the changes with the support of parents.
However, if enforced, it is understood The Whitstable School would be the first in Kent to ban skirts.
The letter sent home on Friday stated: ‘As part of our commitment to maintaining high standards and promoting inclusivity, I am considering a transition from skirts to trousers as a gender-neutral uniform for all students.
‘However, I will not change the uniform without the support of parents. I will also still focus on ways we can ensure the right skirt length is worn on site.’
The Whitstable School, which has more than 1,100 pupils, was rated ‘good’ across the board by Ofsted in April 2024.
But over recent years, Mr Holmes says it has received a significant number of complaints from parents and members of the community regarding the way some skirts are being worn.
‘Despite repeated efforts to enforce the uniform policy, we continue to face challenges that are affecting the school’s reputation and student experiences,’ he said.
‘A growing number of students are wearing skirts that do not meet the uniform requirements.
‘This has resulted in frequent reminders from staff, taking time away from learning and creating unnecessary conflict.’
Mr Holmes says the negative comments from businesses, residents and parents ‘reflects on the school and by extension on all students’.
He adds: ‘Some students have come forward to express concerns about feeling pressured to wear their skirts shorter than policy allows.
‘This pressure can contribute to discomfort, anxiety, and self-consciousness, particularly among those who do wish to conform to these expectations but feel unable to challenge them.
‘By transitioning to trousers for all students, create a more consistent and inclusive dress code, reducing the potential for certain students to be singled out or disciplined disproportionately.’
Mr Holmes said trousers provide warmth in winter and ‘greater flexibility during movement-intensive activities throughout the school day’, making them a more practical and comfortable choice.
A consultation is now being held for parents to express their opinions on the proposals.
It will run until March 28, at which time responses will be reviewed and a final decision will be made.
However, locals in Whitstable yesterday had mixed views on the plans.
Chris Meaker, the father of a pupil at the school, said: ‘Personally, I can’t see that trying to get all the kids to wear trousers is particularly gender-neutral because trousers would be synonymous with boys at a secondary school.
‘My daughter comes to this school, she’s in Year 10, she wears a skirt, she wears tights. They could enforce that all girls have to wear tights with their skirts.
‘I think the school should probably focus on issues that are more important to the education of the pupils. I’m not convinced that uniform is the biggest problem.’
Another man, called Kevin, said: ‘I think it’d be better girls wearing trousers, personally, because the skirts are a bit near the mark.
‘In this day and age, it’s dangerous for girls to walk around like that really. I wouldn’t let my daughter do it, no way.’
Mr Holmes told KentOnline that at the moment it is ‘purely consultation on skirts with a range of options for parents including an option to move to trousers only’.
He added: ‘There is currently no decision on any uniform changes and there is currently no ban on skirts. After the consultation I will look to see what parents have said.’
has contacted The Whitstable School for further comment.