School bans girls from wearing skirts as it brings in gender-neutral uniform

It says the new rules will be "fairer for transgender pupils and eliminate complaints over the decency of short skirts”.

Girls at the school will now all have to wear trousers. File pic

A secondary school has banned girls from wearing skirts in a bid to make its uniform gender neutral.

Priory School in Lewes, East Sussex, has introduced the policy to make the uniform the same for all students, regardless of gender.

Teachers hope it will make things "fairer for transgender pupils and eliminate complaints over the decency of short skirts".

The updated uniform, which the school website says "has been designed specifically in response to the many issues and suggestions raised by parents, students and school staff", also rectifies the issue of boys having to wear ties while girls do not.

It comprises grey trousers, white shirt, navy jumper and a blue and silver tie.

Headteacher Tony Smith told the Brighton Argus newspaper: "Specifically, it addresses the current issues of inequality and decency.

"Another issue was that we have a small but increasing number of transgender students and therefore having the same uniform is important for them."

"Another issue was that we have a small but increasing number of transgender students and therefore having the same uniform is important for them."

However, one local mother who was not in favour, told the local newspaper: "My daughter said she has got a gender and it's female, so being gender neutral when she has got a gender is a big deal for her, as she is proud to be a girl."

In June, around 30 boys at a school in Exeter wore white plaid skirts to class instead of grey trousers in protest at a no-shorts policy during the summer heatwave