Newhouse Academy bans skirts for good as furious parents slam 'woke' uniform overhaul

Monday, 14 July 2025 14:33

By David Murphy

A Heywood academy has confirmed it will press ahead with changes to its school uniform policy that will require all students to wear trousers from September 2025.

A previously paused uniform change at a local academy is now set to go ahead, with the school confirming that all pupils will be expected to wear trousers from the start of the 2025 academic year.

The decision follows what the school describes as a careful consultation process involving families, students and staff. While the number of formal responses was described as “relatively small”, the headteacher said the majority of feedback supported the move.

In a letter sent to parents and carers, the academy’s headteacher Mr A Burnham said: “We were heartened by the response to our original proposal… the overall feedback we received is further clarification that this change to our uniform policy is the right one.”

He added that the policy aligns with uniform changes seen in “high performing schools, locally and nationally”.

The move means that skirts will no longer form part of the official school uniform. From September 2025, all students will be required to wear trousers regardless of gender. However, the school has pledged to support families who may face financial hardship as a result.

“While our expectation will be that this uniform change is implemented fully from September 2025, if there are any real barriers for our families then we want to work with you to support you through these,” Mr Burnham said.

Further details, including a list of acceptable trousers, will be published on the school’s website by the end of the current term.

The academy has not published exact figures from its consultation but stated that feedback played a key role in reaffirming its decision.

Speaking to a member of the public, they said "if the school are to implement this policy then they should lead by example and the staff should also ensure that their clothing reflects this".

Speaking to a parent that has a year 9 daughter, they said, "I can appreciate that some pupils have very short dresses which I wouldn't want my daughter to wear however a strict length should be implemented first and if that doesn't work then go to the full trouser length, pupils that look really presentable and don't have an issue are being hauled into this new policy, and for what"

She continued by saying, "Well, at least it's one less piece of clothing we have to buy now, where we had a skirt in the summer and trousers in the winter, it's just trousers all year round".

The uniform policy change comes amid broader national discussions on gender neutrality, inclusion, and affordability within school environments.