Government responds after school skirt ban

Northern Education Trust said the move to trousers 'promotes equality and inclusivity'

- By POPPY KENNEDY

AFTER parents hit out at a decision by an education trust to ban skirts in its new school uniform policy, the Department for Education has given their response to the new rule.

Northern Education Trust which operates six secondary schools on Teesside, including Thornaby Academy, North Shore Academy, Manor Community Academy and Freebrough Academy - wrote to parents outlining changes in its school uniform policy, which will come into effect from September 2026.

This includes the removal of skirts as an option, with all students being expected to wear “tailored school trousers”.

The trust says the decision is in response to the Department for Education’s change in guidance on school uniforms to make them more affordable for families.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is currently before parliament, will legally cap the number of branded items at three, with an additional branded tie allowed for secondary schools.

However, the bill does not require set items to be added or removed from a school’s uniform policy, including skirts.