NEWQUAY’S biggest school has banned girls from wearing skirts from the start of the new school year in September.

Newquay Tretherras is asking all its students to be in black, tailored trousers or shorts after carrying out a consultation with parents, staff and students. The academy is due to consult on a summer option in the Spring term.

Newquay Tretherras is banning girls from wearing skirts because they have been wearing them too short.

Gemma Harries, the head of school at Tretherras, in a letter to parents said: “Thank you to those who took the time to contribute to our uniform consultation. We are now in a position to feedback the results of this and make some decisions that will contribute to the success of our school moving forward.

“A clear majority of parents, students and staff, understand why we are proposing a move to trousers, and agreed that the incorrect wearing of skirts is, unfortunately, a complex issue to resolve.

“As such, we will be asking all our students to be in black, tailored trousers or shorts for September 2024 and, in listening to our parent and student voice, will consult on a summer option in the Spring term.

“Over 100 children attended Trouser Choice groups and, after lots of trying on various types, they themselves selected the styles, with plenty of options as to where they can be purchased from.

“As always, the students have impressed us with their contributions: be that drawings and sketches of uniform options; letters of support or of questions; bringing in trousers from home for us to consider and attending meetings in large numbers.

“Leaders across the school have been reflecting on how articulate, respectful and engaged the students have been – they’ve had a lot to say, and we’ve listened.

“We understand your frustration that this time last year we were asking you to purchase a school skirt, that we are now disallowing, and for this I can only apologise.

“Please know how hard we have tried to ensure students wear their skirts in line with policy and have already tried a wide range of support and sanctions. Should this new expectation put any financial pressure on you, please do contact your head of year. Additionally, any families who are eligible for pupil premium will have financial support.

“Finally, we also appreciate that all children are different and for any child with additional needs, who cannot access this change in uniform policy, appropriate adaptations will be made.

“I’ll just finish with a reminder of why we’re doing this, by quoting some of our KS3 students during our meetings: “Miss, what I can’t wait for is everyone being in the same NT club, not having to try and look all ‘popular’”.

“It will be good to not hear teachers having to nag all the time!” I don’t think I could have put it better myself – as staff we want to be focusing on that which matters: learning and well-being.

“Thank you for all of your support. I know there has been a lot of change as we move through the phases of School Improvement.

“We’re so looking forward to September where, having made all the changes we have needed to make, we can settle down and ensure the children of Newquay attend a warm, happy and vibrant school where all thrive.”

Some students are opposed to the skirt ban.

A year seven student said: “I don't think its right that they are banning skirts as they have not clearly explained why it is an issue for girls to wear their skirts short, they have only said that it is not the proper way to wear the uniform.

“I don't think banning skirts will help girls wear it at the correct length as tailored shorts can be even shorter than skirts.

“I am one of the many girls who do not roll their skirts up and under article 33 of the Geneva  convention  it says 'Individual responsibility, collective penalties, pillage, reprisals.

“No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited. Pillage is prohibited.'

“It says that no protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed, the school says we are protected yet they are using collective punishment on all of the students at our school.

“A fair few of the girls at our school have never rolled up their skirts and are being punished for the acts of the other girls. Personally I find that skirts are more comfortable and many of my friends feel the same.

“If we are not comfortable in the school it will make it harder for people like me to focus. Also the school blouses go see through when wet and we can’t wear jumpers in school so many girls dread going outside in the rain so if they were to change any part of the uniform I would recommend letting us wear a school jumper. 

“Also during the assembly announcing the possible skirt ban many weeks ago my head teacher stated that the other years have understood the reasons for the skirt ban but personally I don't as the only reason was it is not how the uniform 'should be worn.'

Another student said: “I do not think the new skirt ban is needed because Newquay Tretherras has already changed their skirts from normal black appropriate skirts to school skirts and some people cannot afford a new change easily.

“But now people have to buy more clothes and the branded school skirts cannot be used in school which is a very expensive change throughout one year.

“I agree that the super short skirts are a problem but for the students that don't roll their skirts up this is very unnecessary and unfair choice of solution for the students and the paying parent or guardian.

“I believe that to help with rolled skirts that Newquay Tretherras  should raise the punishment for overly short skirts instead of taking the rights of students. If it still gets worse then they can raise the punishment more and if it really doesn't work then Newquay Tretherras can think about removing skirts at a later date.

“Changing skirts to a smart skort is an ideal solution as well, because you cannot make skorts shorter because of the shorts underneath . 

“I think that Newquay Tretherras should be focusing on learning not a  skirt length.”