Parents blast school over 'sexist' sock ban saying girls should not be forced to wear tights

Parents have criticised a high school for banning girls from wearing socks with their skirts.

The change is being introduced at both Moorside High School in Swinton and Ellesmere Park High School in Eccles, both in Salford and run by the Consilium Academies trust.

Dad Rob Irwin, whose daughter is in Year 10 at Moorside, says the school has been 'clamping down' on uniform and telling girls that their skirts are too short.

When his wife spoke to the school about the issue, he says staff told her that rules are in place to stop females getting unwanted attention.

Read more:Home Bargains matching family Christmas pyjamas are causing a big problem

The trust has not mentioned the length of skirts in its letter to parents and has instead focused on pupils needing to adhere to 'a professional dress code' that 'prepares them for future professional settings where appearance plays a role'.

But Rob says the letter is 'patronising' and 'camouflaging' what they're really doing, which is 'telling girls they need to cover their bare legs because males can't control themselves'.

"This a step backwards and should not be happening in 2024, he said. "It's like going back to the 80s where if a woman was assaulted people would say 'well it's because of what you were wearing or how you look'.

"There's been no consultation with parents whatsoever. It just feels very sexist when there are never any changes to the boys' uniform, it's always the girls. Boys can wear shorts in the summer so how is that different."

He added: "They've said in the letter that wearing a uniform allows students to be focused on their education, but why does wearing socks stop someone from learning.

"This is teaching girls and boys for that matter, that if you can't control yourself looking at a set of legs then we'll forcibly cover them all up."

The school told the Manchester Evening News that the change 'is designed to promote clarity, consistency, and professionalism for all students'.

Rob, who has questioned why the change is only being made at Consilium's Salford schools and not elsewhere, says he called the trust to complain and was told someone would contact him, but nobody has been in touch.

Another parent told us she too is unhappy about the change, which is being introduced after the Christmas break.

The mum said: "What they're doing is shocking and it goes against everything that Manchester and its women mean. They are growing young girls and they should not be allowed to teach them that they need to cover themselves to avoid unwanted attention from males."

In the letter to parents, Owen Inglis, Consilium Academies hub director for north west and Yorkshire, said: "One area that we feel as a Trust and as individual schools, we can continue to move forward with is the professional dress of our students.

"We want all students at Moorside and Ellesmere to be professional learners both in their approach and their dress. It is for this reason that we are making a slight change to the uniform policy. From January, all students who chose to wear a skirt, will be required to wear their skirt with plain, non-patterned black, opaque tights, no finer that 40 denier.

"Those students choosing to wear trousers, will need to wear black ankle socks with their trousers. Our collective aim is to ensure that all our students are professional in their dress as well as their learning, we want to continue to ensure that we develop socially responsible citizens that are ready for their next step be that university, college or an apprenticeship.

"By having this standard approach of black opaque tights with skirts across our schools, provides clarity and removes the uncertainty around the style/type of socks allowed. We know that by adhering to a professional dress code, it prepares them for future professional settings where appearance plays a role.

"Wearing a uniform teaches students about appropriate dressing for different occasions and fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability."

He says the trust will 'operate a common-sense approach' when the weather is warm and this 'will be communicated to parents and students when required'.

In a statement to the Manchester Evening News, Mr Inglis said: "Our updated uniform policy at Ellesmere Park and Moorside High Schools is designed to promote clarity, consistency, and professionalism for all students. By introducing a standard requirement of opaque non-patterned black tights with skirts, we provide clear guidance and remove uncertainty around the style and type of socks allowed.

“We know that adhering to a professional dress code helps prepare students for future settings where appearance plays a role, teaching them about appropriate dressing for different occasions and fostering responsibility and accountability.

“This change is part of our broader commitment to creating a sense of pride, unity, and community spirit, encouraging students to be ambassadors for their schools and the Consilium Academies trust. We are here to support families with this transition and remain dedicated to maintaining an inclusive and high-standard learning environment for all.”