Inadequate high school slammed by Ofsted proposing to ban skirts

An ‘inadequate’ high school criticised over pupils’ ‘foul’ language and bullying is proposing to ban its students from wearing skirts.

Waterhead Academy in Oldham has launched a consultation on plans to only allow its students of all genders to wear ‘black tailored trousers’ – removing skirts from the official uniform.

The high school is also proposing that students wear only plain black socks, with trainer socks or ‘ankle style sports socks’ also being banned.

The news comes in the same week that Ofsted delivered a damning inspection report into the Huddersfield Road academy, criticising both the standard of education delivered and the behaviour of some pupils.

“Trustees, executive leaders and school leaders have overseen a decline in the quality of education that pupils receive at Waterhead Academy. Pupils have been failed for far too long. Their learning is fragile and they underachieve,” the report stated.

The watchdog found students at the secondary regularly truant and are sometimes exposed to ‘foul and abusive language’, name-calling and racist and homophobic language.

In a letter to parents outlining the uniform consultation, senior vice principal Mrs Foy said: “We are working to raise standards in all aspects of school life and having the highest standards of personal appearance is central to this.

“We believe that uniform creates a positive school identity and provides students with a sense of belonging as well as identifying them as ambassadors for our academy.

“In addition, our uniform needs to look professional and smart but also must be both practical and affordable.”

Letters to parents in September and December also outlined ‘uniform expectations’ at Waterhead Academy, which said students wearing skirts must wear black tights of ‘at least 40 Denier in thickness’, and students with bare legs would be provided with a pair of tights from the school.

“In line with our behaviour policy, non-compliance with our smart and professional uniform policy will result in students working in our isolation room until the issue can be resolved,” a letter sent out on December 16, stated.

In September, then-principal Darren Lyon warned students that skirts must ‘sit just above the knee’ and ‘tight fitting pencil skirts’ and ‘short skirts’ were not permitted.

The current full uniform for Waterhead is an academy blazer and tie, with a white shirt with top button and collar, black trousers or knee length pleated skirt with tights, black, navy or grey socks, and black leather shoes covering the top of the foot.

A petition opposing the proposed banning of skirts, titled ‘let girls be girls’, has so far gathered 130 signatures.

The author of the campaign Alison Wright states she has two girls at Waterhead Academy and she believes the move would be an ‘inappropriate step’.

“We believe every girl should have the right to wear clothes manufactured for their gender,” she adds.

“My daughters have worn skirts throughout all their school life as have many others and now are in their last few years they want to stop that.”

In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, acting principal James Wilson said: “We are currently consulting on proposed changes to our uniform.

"Within the consultation period, we are interested in the views of all stakeholders.

“Once all views are submitted, we will consider these before making a decision.

"We have opened the consultation early to ensure there is plenty of time to allow us to consider all responses prior to making any decisions.”

The changes would come into effect from September for the next school year if agreed, following the consultation with students and parents.

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