School Enforces Trousers-Only Uniform, Barring Skirt-Wearing Students
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School Enforces Trousers-Only Uniform, Barring Skirt-Wearing Students
- Several secondary schools under the Co-op Academies Trust in Greater Manchester implemented a new trousers-only uniform policy from September 2026, leading to some female students being denied entry to lessons for wearing skirts.
- The trust stated the decision was informed by research suggesting traditional uniform options, like skirts, can limit comfort and participation, and aims to promote equality and inclusivity.
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Co-op Academies Trust introduced a new uniform policy in September 2026 across six of its secondary schools in Greater Manchester, requiring all students 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 earlier in the year that this trousers-only policy would be implemented.
On Wednesday, the first day of the new academic year, some pupils at Co-op Academy Failsworth arrived wearing skirts and were reportedly not allowed into lessons. Parents have expressed anger, with one mother stating her daughters were “in tears” over the new rules and that her eldest was turned away from school. The trust, however, maintained that only a small number of students arrived in skirts and were offered trousers, asserting that no students were turned away.
The Co-op Academies Trust has cited several reasons for the uniform change, including research indicating that traditional skirts can hinder comfort and full engagement in school activities. They also stated that more practical options like trousers support active learning and are better suited for various school subjects and everyday movement. Furthermore, the trust highlighted that the change aims to reduce costs for families by limiting branded items and ongoing expenses like tights, while promoting consistency and inclusivity. This shift aligns with a broader trend in UK schools, with some institutions moving to trousers-only policies to address issues like monitoring skirt length and promoting gender neutrality.