Parents left divided on high school’s ‘ridiculous and unhygienic’ new uniform policy
PARENTS have labelled a high school's new uniform policy as "ridiculous" and "unhygienic".
Students at Ashton on Mersey Academy in Trafford have been told they need to wear plain black tights when they wear a skirt.
The new rule says skirts must can't be shorter than 5cm above the knee cap and need to be worn with plain black tights.
Some pupils claim they have been told the rule aims to stop "girls being sexualised" at school, the reports.
Concerns have also been raised that the request is not suitable for the warmer months and could cause health problems with young woman.
Caregivers have slammed the change of policy, with one mum saying the idea is totally unnecessary.
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The woman said: "So many reasons why this is so wrong. As someone already stated, female hygiene, yeast infections etc.
"But also, give the girls the mature respect they deserve as young women in high school.
"Tights is not necessary, it should be a choice as long as you look smart."
Another person said: "This is absolutely ludicrous. Do the female staff have to wear thick black tights also?
"I would be concerned about intimate health issues this causes and obviously girls will be having their time of the month, which when warm is awfully uncomfortable without the added warmness of tights."
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"If this is an issue due to people looking up girls skirts I suggest educating young people on sexual harassment and why looking up skirts is wrong. In my opinion this is not okay."
One parent questioned why it was focused on the young women and not the boys at the school.
They said: "Wearing tights won't resolve the issue. Totally sexist and puts blame/shame on the girls which is so wrong."
A spokesperson for Ashton On Mersey School said the idea was discussed with parents.
They said: "The school communicates regularly with parents, carers and pupils.
"Our uniform policy was relaxed during this summer's high temperatures and the community was informed immediately; this will continue to be the school's approach in future responses to the heat."
Hard-up households will able to save hundreds on their children's school uniforms thanks to a new government law.
New statutory guidance, effective from September, means schools will have to make uniforms affordable for all families.
This will see families offered more high street options and households will also be able to buy second-hand uniform.
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Schools should make sure the necessary arrangements are in place so second-hand school uniforms are available.
The Government has also also urged them to signpost parents to established second-hand uniform schemes, if they don't want to set up their own.