Greater Manchester Schools Implement Trousers-Only Uniform Policy
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Greater Manchester Schools Implement Trousers-Only Uniform Policy
- Several secondary schools under the Co-op Academies Trust in Greater Manchester have introduced a new uniform policy, effective September 2026, mandating trousers for all students.
- This change, impacting schools like Co-op Academy Failsworth, Co-op Academy Walkden, and Co-op Academy Swinton, has led to some female students being barred from lessons for wearing skirts.
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Starting September 2026, the Co-op Academies Trust implemented a new uniform policy across several of its secondary schools in Greater Manchester, requiring all pupils to wear trousers. This change affects Co-op Academy Failsworth, Co-op Academy Walkden, Co-op Academy Swinton, Co-op Academy North Manchester, Co-op Academy Manchester, and Co-op Academy Belle Vue.
The Trust communicated this decision to parents earlier in the year, stating that the move was informed by research suggesting that traditional uniform options, such as skirts, can limit student comfort, confidence, and participation in various school activities. They also highlighted that more practical options like trousers support active learning and are better suited for subjects like science, construction, and engineering, as well as general movement around the school. Additionally, the Trust noted that items like tights, often worn with skirts, can increase costs for families due to frequent replacement, and a more flexible uniform could help reduce overall expenses.
Despite the stated reasons, some parents have expressed frustration and disagreement with the new policy. On Wednesday, September 3, 2026, and Thursday, September 4, 2026, some female students at Co-op Academy Failsworth arrived in skirts and were subsequently told they could not attend lessons until they changed into trousers. Parents have described the policy as “ridiculous,” with some reporting that their daughters were distressed by the new rules. The Trust, however, maintains that only a small number of pupils arrived in skirts and that those students were offered a selection of trousers. The uniform policy at Co-op Academy Failsworth, reviewed in February 2026 and approved on February 26, 2026, outlines specific uniform requirements, including plain black tailored trousers or a plain black pleated, knee-length skirt with at least 40 denier tights for the skirt option. However, the newer Trust-wide policy from September 2026 supersedes this by making trousers mandatory.