SKIRTS will be banned from being worn by pupils at a Coggeshall secondary school, parents were told this week.
Honywood School, in Westfield Drive, is making changes to its school uniform policy from September to be “more inclusive”.
But in a letter sent to parents on Monday - seen by the Gazette - the school also states the step is in response to pupils wearing the skirts incorrectly.
Pupils can currently wear trousers or a school-branded skirt - but when the next academic year starts in September, skirts will no longer be allowed.
The options will be black trousers or black, knee-length, tailored shorts.
“By replacing the option of skirts, ongoing challenges in this regard are removed so that the collective staff and learner focus, and energy within school remains fully on learning.”
It also says that the tailored shorts provide a more gender-neutral option for all pupils and by replacing the skirt, it is hoped the school uniform will be financially affordable for families.
But one parent, who wished to remain anonymous, raised concerns and said: “I am disappointed - they are rolling it out as a gender-neutral initiative but it’s not really, they are trying to do group punishment.
“Yes, girls should wear skirts appropriately and parents should be enforcing it.
“They shouldn’t take away the ability to wear skirts - what about the girls who want to wear skirts? I believe it goes against the school’s principles.
“My daughter is in Year 7 and I spent money on skirts, and they are useless. I can’t sell them on as they have the branding, what am I meant to do?
“It doesn’t make any sense, it is crazy, it has been done all without consultation and parents weren’t aware until this letter came out.”
The parent also claimed last September the school banned female students from wearing socks and they have to instead “wear tights all year round”.
A spokesman for Honywood School, said: On Monday, a letter regarding changes to our uniform policy was sent to families. The school received a number of queries about these changes.
"At this time, we have not been able to respond to these enquiries as they were received less than 24 hours ago.
"Our policy is to respond to all communications within 48 hours. We will be responding through the appropriate channels in due course.
"We take the opinions and concerns of our families seriously.
"It is disappointing that we have not been given time to respond in our normal community-minded way and that families feel this is a matter that needs reporting in the media.
"We have always preferred to work directly with families rather than respond to external pressures via third parties.
"We only wish families were more passionate and vocal about the real challenges schools are facing currently such as lack of funding and SEND support or that the media was exposing these issues publicly.
"The approach we have taken is not contentious and follows a simple uniform model used by lots of schools across the country.
"It is clear that our families have concerns and we will continue to work with them directly to achieve a mutually accepted solution as the media is not the appropriate platform to deal with this matter."
Community answers
What are your views: do you think students should be banned from wearing skirts in school?
"We want to hear your thoughts on the topic."
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
Should students be banned from wearing skirts in school?Yes skirts should be banned. It's a learning environment and clothes can become a distraction. Upskirting, sirys worn as little more than pelmets by silly girls being sucked into the female allure because of our patriarchal society is not a good thing.
How should schools tackle uniform issues that arise?Talk. Discuss, Listen. Talk. Discuss. Listen.......
Should the school uniform be abolished? Allowing students to wear their own clothing to schoolNo. Being part of a school community, something to belong to and proud of is enhanced by a sweatshirt and its badge.
Should students be banned from wearing skirts in school?Absolutely Not
How should schools tackle uniform issues that arise?Realise that different sexes have different clothes that they want to wear and will have to ability to wear when they are out of secondary school, so I believe it is silly that now girls are forced to trousers even though it is a cultural norm that girls can wear skirts.
Should the school uniform be abolished? Allowing students to wear their own clothing to schoolYes, because studies have shown that when you wear your own clothes, you are more willing to learn because it reminds you more of your home which makes you feel more relaxed, thus making it easier to learn and be encouraged to socialise. It also brings colour and vibrancy to a school environment, full of happy children running and playing around instead of sad, depressed and dull looking children where the school environment is strict and enclosed.
What are your views: do you think students should be banned from wearing skirts in school?
We want to hear your thoughts on the topic.
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