Latest news with #NorthernEducationTrust
BBC News
09-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Kirk Balk school plans to ban skirts from 2026
Female pupils at a school in Barnsley are to be banned from wearing a letter to parents, Kirk Balk Academy in Hoyland explained that the move to "tailored trousers" from September 2026 would promote "equality and inclusivity".Kirk Balk is one of 17 secondaries run by the Northern Education Trust, which also operates schools in North Yorkshire and the North East, to bring in the skirt ban next parents have criticised the uniform change while others said it would be an end to "too short" rolled-up skirts. The school trust said it had been considering the move for a while. In a letter to parents outlining the policy, Kirk Balk principal Hayley Craddock said: "The move to trousers for all students promotes equality and inclusivity, ensuring all students feel comfortable and supported. "Trousers are also more practical for active learning and movement throughout the school day, while simplifying uniform requirements helps reduce costs for families.""We understand that this is a significant change, which is why we are providing over a year's notice to allow time for any necessary adjustments," she added. A parent, who didn't want to be named, told the BBC that her daughter was unhappy about the change."It's disgusting, they want girls to be girls, they want them to be their own people but they are taking every piece of them away. "My daughter thinks wearing trousers makes her feel like a boy."She added: "If it comes down to tailored trousers I'll be looking at somewhere else. I'm not having her feel a certain way that will affect her education for the rest of her life."Tracey Bailey, who works at The Old House Café across from Kirk Balk, said she understood the need for the change."At my school we were only allowed a skirt at a certain length and we used to abide by it. Now the girls do what they want"She also had a message for some teachers: "They wear low cut tops. They need to be more respectful."Former pupil Fran Birmingham, who works at The Salvation Army charity shop a short walk from the school, disagrees with the new rule."It's not appropriate for girls to wear trousers all the year through. "They need fresh air," she added. Other schools around the UK have already implemented similar rules although one school in Essex reversed the decision after the head said he received abuse from of the change in uniform policy, parents living in Barnsley will soon receive financial support from the council towards uniform local authority confirmed this week that parents will receive a £100 voucher to help pay for a statement about the changes, the Northern Education Trust said they were "extremely mindful" of the cost of school uniforms for parents and had been considering the impact of changes for a number of also confirmed they had received "positive feedback" from pupils and the decision to delay implementation until 2026 would give "families plenty of time to prepare so that they could make an informed choice when purchasing items". Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Parents' fury as secondary schools ban girls from wearing skirts - insisting trousers 'promote equality and inclusivity'
A parent has hit out at a decision by an education trust to ban skirts in its new school uniform policy. Northern Education Trust - which operates six secondary schools on Teesside - has written to parents outlining the changes to its school uniform policy, which will come into effect from September 2026. The new uniform policy bans skirts from being worn and says 'all students will be expected to wear tailored school trousers'. The trust claims that all students wearing trousers 'promotes equality and inclusivity' and is 'more practical for active learning and movement throughout the school day'. However, the change has been met with backlash from some parents, who claim they were not consulted. One mum, whose daughter attends a school within the trust, said: 'My daughter and many of her friends are upset about it. 'Many girls choose to wear skirts to express their gender identities. It is outrageous misogyny. There's nothing open, modern and inclusive about this.' The trust says it spoke with a 'significant number of students' to ask their opinion. In a letter published online across four of its Teesside secondary schools, the trust said: 'From September 2026, the school uniform will no longer include skirts as an option, and all students will be expected to wear tailored school trousers. 'This decision has been made following careful consideration and feedback from all stakeholders across the trust, where it highlighted the benefits of a more practical, inclusive, and consistent uniform policy. 'The move to trousers for all students promotes equality and inclusivity, ensuring all students feel comfortable and supported. 'Trousers are also more practical for active learning and movement throughout the school day, while simplifying uniform requirements helps reduce costs for families. 'We understand that this is a significant change, which is why we are providing over a year's notice to allow time for any necessary adjustments.' The trust says these changes are in response to the Department of Education changing its guidance on school uniforms to make them more affordable for families. The key change, the trust outlines, is a limit on the number of branded uniform items schools can require. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill will cap the number of branded items to three - with the addition of a branded tie allowed for secondary schools. From September 2026, at the trust's secondary schools, the only compulsory branded items will include a school blazer, school tie, and the PE top - with the trust adding it will no longer allow plain black T-shirts for this purpose. All other uniform items, such as trousers, shirts, shoes, and PE bottoms, can be purchased from any retailer, provided they adhere to the school's colour and style guidelines. A spokesperson for the trust said: 'Northern Education Trust is extremely mindful of the cost of school uniforms for parents, and has been considering the impact of this for a number of months, and of the forthcoming changes to government legislation. 'Alongside this, consideration was given to no longer including skirts as an option, and we have spoken to a significant number of students to ask their opinion about this. 'As a result of positive feedback to this suggestion, it was decided that all secondary students should wear tailored school trousers from September 2026, as highlighted in the letter to parents earlier this month. 'The decision to delay implementation of the change until 2026 was to give families plenty of time to prepare so that they could make an informed choice when purchasing items this year, as well as saving costs on having to repeatedly replace tights. 'A very small number of parents have raised concerns which have been discussed with individuals, but the vast majority of responses to the notification have been very positive. 'We cannot comment on individual cases, and we always ask parents to contact us directly to discuss any concerns they have about such changes.' The Teesside schools under the Northern Education Trust include Dyke House Academy (Hartlepool), Freebrough Academy (Brotton), The Grangefield Academy (Stockton), Manor Community Academy (Hartlepool), North Shore Academy (Stockton) and Thornaby Academy (Thornaby).
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Schools in one UK region ban skirts as all kids must wear 'practical' trousers
Secondary schools in the area have been ordered to follow a new uniform policy which includes the removal of skirts. The trust said the move is more 'practical' An education trust has faced backlash after it announced that schools in one UK region will be forced to introduce a ban on skirts - making the environment more "inclusive". Students across six schools in Teesside have been told that their "uniform will no longer include skirts as an option". The rule change comes from Northern Education Trust - which manages numerous secondary schools in the region. The trust said that swapping skirts out for tailored trousers is more "practical". However, some parents have hit out at the policy, with one mum branding the move as "outragous misogyny". In a letter published online across four of its Teesside secondary schools, the trust says: "From September 2026, the school uniform will no longer include skirts as an option, and all students will be expected to wear tailored school trousers. This decision has been made following careful consideration and feedback from all stakeholders across the trust, where it highlighted the benefits of a more practical, inclusive, and consistent uniform policy. "The move to trousers for all students promotes equality and inclusivity, ensuring all students feel comfortable and supported. Trousers are also more practical for active learning and movement throughout the school day, while simplifying uniform requirements helps reduce costs for families. We understand that this is a significant change, which is why we are providing over a year's notice to allow time for any necessary adjustments." But the change has been met with backlash from some parents. One mum, whose daughter attends a school within the trust, told Teesside Live: "My daughter and many of her friends are upset about it. Many girls choose to wear skirts to express their gender identities. It is outrageous misogyny. There's nothing open, modern and inclusive about this." She claims there was students and parents were not consulted on this, however the trusts says it spoke with a "significant number of students" to ask their opinion. Limit on compulsory branded items In the letter, the trust says these changes are in response to the Department of Education changing its guidance on school uniforms to make them more affordable for families. The key change, the trust outlines, is a limit on the number of branded uniform items schools can require. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill will cap the number of branded items to three - with the addition of a branded tie allowed for secondary schools. From September 2026, at the trust's secondary schools, the only compulsory branded items will include a school blazer, school tie, and the PE top - with the trust adding it will no longer allow plain black T-shirts for this propose. All other uniform items, such as trousers, shirts, shoes, and PE bottoms, can be purchased from any retailer, provided they adhere to the school's colour and style guidelines. A spokesperson for the trust said: "Northern Education Trust is extremely mindful of the cost of school uniforms for parents, and has been considering the impact of this for a number of months, and of the forthcoming changes to government legislation. Alongside this, consideration was given to no longer including skirts as an option, and we have spoken to a significant number of students to ask their opinion about this. "As a result of positive feedback to this suggestion, it was decided that all secondary students should wear tailored school trousers from September 2026, as highlighted in the letter to parents earlier this month. The decision to delay implementation of the change until 2026 was to give families plenty of time to prepare so that they could make an informed choice when purchasing items this year, as well as saving costs on having to repeatedly replace tights. "A very small number of parents have raised concerns which have been discussed with individuals, but the vast majority of responses to the notification have been very positive. We cannot comment on individual cases, and we always ask parents to contact us directly to discuss any concerns they have about such changes." The Teesside schools under the Northern Education Trust Dyke House Academy, Hartlepool Freebrough Academy, Brotton The Grangefield Academy, Stockton (letter not published online at time of publication) Manor Community Academy, Hartlepool North Shore Academy, Stockton Thornaby Academy, Thornaby (letter not published online at time of publication)
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My daughter FAINTED at school because of ridiculous uniform rule – teachers force her to wear tights in scorching sun
A MOTHER has spoken out against a school uniform rule that made her daughter faint from overheating. Debbi Kinder's 12-year-old daughter let four teachers known she was feeling light-headed at Denton Community Academy in Tameside before she collapsed. 1 School rules, however, meant she was not able to wear socks instead of tights, and she was told to keep her blazer on even during warmer weather. Northern Education Trust (NET), which runs the school, clarified that pupils are allowed to take their blazers off in class. It said that "sensible steps to keep students comfortable" are taken when the weather is warmer and clarified that these include "reviewing uniform expectations and ensuring access to shade and drinking water". The NET added: "Students are permitted to remove their blazers in classrooms at all times and in line with our uniform policy, students can choose to wear trousers rather than skirts with tights, should they prefer during warmer periods." A spokesperson of the Trust went on to say: "We are aware of an incident in which a student felt dizzy while in the lunch area and was quickly supported by staff. "Appropriate first aid and reassurance were provided, and no further action was necessary." However, Ms Kinder recounted that after being sent to first aid by the fourth teacher, her daughter was checked over and sent back to class. She told the Manchester Evening News: "As she was walking to class she fainted and was caught by one of the canteen staff. "When I arrived at school, she was sat in reception with the first aider with an ice pack and a drink. "She was extremely pale and could hardly stand." Ms Kinder has refused to take her daughter back to school, during periods of hot weather, until the uniform policy is changed. She has expressed her dismay at the fact girls the only options for girls to wear are tights or trousers, regardless of weather. NET first began supporting the school, formerly known as Denton Community College, in September 2023 after Ofsted placed it in Special Measures.
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
12-year-old pupil 'fainted from heat' after not being allowed to remove school uniform blazer
12-year-old pupil 'fainted from heat' after not being allowed to remove school uniform blazer Girls aren't allowed to wear socks at the school even in the heat Denton Community Academy in Tameside (Image: Manchester Evening News ) A mum has criticised her daughter's school uniform policy, claiming the strict rules were to blame for her fainting due to overheating. Debbi Kinder said her 12-year-old daughter felt ill at Denton Community Academy in Tameside as she was forced to wear a blazer and tights in the heat, with socks not allowed as part of the uniform. Debbi explained her daughter became lightheaded and despite telling four teachers how she felt before she fainted, she wasn't allowed to remove her blazer. The Northern Education Trust, responsible for the academy, insists pupils can take off their blazers in class and claims it takes 'sensible steps to keep students comfortable' when the weather is warm. Such measures include re-evaluating the dress code and providing shade and water. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Debbi said: "My daughter had gone to four lessons and in each lesson she told the teacher she felt dizzy and asked could she take her blazer off. She was told 'no', she would be fine." "The fourth teacher sent her to first aid who checked her over and sent her back to class. As she was walking to class she fainted and was caught by one of the canteen staff. "I received a phone call from her dad to tell me what had happened and that they had tried contacting me but couldn't get through." Article continues below Debbi arrived at the school to find her daughter in reception, being cared for by the first aider, supplied with an ice pack and a drink, looking extremely pale and barely able to stand. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Debbi added: "I told the school that she would not be attending school while the weather is this hot until they change the uniform policy." Debbi has since had discussions with a staff member at the school and although her daughter is now attending classes, she is still unhappy that girls are still made to wear tights or trousers. A spokesperson for the Trust which governs Taylor Lane school since January, said: "We are aware of an incident in which a student felt dizzy while in the lunch area and was quickly supported by staff. Appropriate first aid and reassurance were provided, and no further action was needed. "During warmer weather, we take sensible steps to keep students comfortable, including reviewing uniform expectations and ensuring access to shade and drinking water. Students are permitted to remove their blazers in classrooms at all times and in line with our uniform policy, students can choose to wear trousers rather than skirts with tights, should they prefer during warmer periods. "We always welcome working directly with parents and carers, and would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to us so we can address them promptly and constructively." Article continues below Previously known as Denton Community College, NET began supporting the school in September 2023 after Ofsted placed it into Special Measures. Since becoming an academy, the school has seen significant improvements, achieving its best-ever examination results and becoming one of the top most-improved schools in England.
