'Rules are rules' or discriminatory? School's new policy sparks furious debate

A decision to ban girls from wearing socks with their school skirts has sparked a furious debate.

We reported on Saturday how 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.

Parents told us it's part of the trust's 'clamp down' on girls wearing short skirts and is basically 'telling girls they need to cover their bare legs because males can't control themselves'.

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But the trust has stopped short of mentioning 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'.

Hundreds of readers have responded to our story on the MEN's Facebook page and it's clear that opinion on the issue is divided.

"Just wear correct uniform," said one. "I know it sounds extreme at times, but rules are rules, it’s that simple. Don’t like them don’t send them to that school."

"Too many entitled parents that back their kids' behaviour," said another. "You picked that school and knew the policies, either follow them or find a new school."

One mum said some of the skirt lengths she has seen on girls is 'obscene' and suggested 'a blanket policy of knee length skirts, and if it doesn’t touch the knee then send them home."

But others were more sympathetic and feel the schools are being unnecessarily strict.

"Are the female teaching staff also going to wear the same opaque tights if they choose to wear a dress or skirt??" said one.

Another described the policy as 'unfair, discriminatory, and completely out of touch'.

She said: "This tights policy is completely hypocritical and discriminatory. Why are girls being forced to adhere to stricter dress requirements than boys under the guise of "professionalism"? It’s outdated to focus so much on girls’ appearances instead of their comfort and education."

A third said that society's view that wearing short skirts 'is equal to loose morality' is what needs to change.

"In the long term these attitudes lead to women being unsafe in general," she said. "Uniform is uniform and should be enforced certainly. But skirt length has no correlation whatsoever with a woman's sexual morality."

Dad Rob Irwin, whose daughter is in Year 10 at Moorside, described the move - introduced after the Christmas break - as '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."

In a letter to parents Owen Inglis, Consilium Academies hub director for north west and Yorkshire, said that 'wearing a uniform teaches students about appropriate dressing for different occasions and fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability'.

When the weather is warmer, he says the trust will 'operate a common-sense approach' 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."

What do you think about the trust telling girls they can only wear tights with skirts? Let us know your views in the comments here.