At least 40 secondary schools have stopped their girls from wearing skirts

For schoolgirls, the skirt is on the way out. An analysis of the uniform policies of schools in England shows that at least 40 secondaries have stopped girls from wearing them, while others are consulting on a ban.

The change to trousers comes as schools opt for gender-neutral uniforms to cater for transgender pupils.

Priory School in Lewes, East Sussex, which banned skirts last year, said pupils had questioned why its uniform was different for boys and girls, and that the needs of transgender students must be taken into account. Crawshaw Academy, near Leeds, is “consulting on implementing a gender-neutral uniform (trousers only)”.

Copleston High School, in Ipswich, has placed skirts on a list of unacceptable items alongside “skinny jeans and facial piercings”. Skirts at