It's a topic that has sparked heated debates across the country. Activists are rallying against proposals for schools to prohibit girls from wearing skirts.

A slew of secondary schools have chosen to ban skirts from September, moving towards a trousers-only dress code.

The issue first came to light when Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley, Wigan, announced the move after swapping skirts for pinafores did little to solve the ongoing problem of girls rolling their skirts up.

Canon Slade School in Bolton is following suit, and Philips High in Whitefield, Bury, has already implemented this policy change. The decision, however, has not been met without resistance.

In Wigan, one councillor has initiated a petition demanding schools in the district allow girls the option to wear skirts. Launching a campaign on change.org, Councillor James Watson of Atherton North ward said: "Plans are creeping in at some schools that will force girls to wear trousers – a blanket ban on skirts and pinafores altogether."

He argues, "School children should not be forced to wear trousers as part of their school uniform but rather given the option.

"Every child deserves the right to feel comfortable, confident, and respected at school. We're calling on schools across Wigan borough to respect our young girls' human rights by allowing them the freedom to choose whether they wear trousers or skirts as part of their school uniform.

"In a modern and inclusive British culture that values equality and individual dignity, no student should be forced into clothing that makes them feel uncomfortable or self-conscious, especially during the sensitive years of puberty and personal development.

"Allowing this simple choice supports gender equality, promotes body autonomy, and reflects the values we strive to instil in our next generation."

The councillor, who is also a father to a 12 year old girl, shared with the Manchester Evening News : "I have been actively engaged in discussions and meetings with council education officers, school staff, trustees, and consulting with the wider public.

"The overwhelming view from these conversations is clear - the majority of the wider public do not support forcing girls to wear trousers, they should be given the option.

"Due to most schools now operating as academies, local councils have limited influence over uniform policies. The justification often given for these changes centres on safeguarding concerns and the time spent enforcing uniform rules.

"However, I believe this shift stems from a failure to enforce existing uniform guidelines consistently. This is not a criticism of our hardworking teachers, who already face immense pressure, but rather of the governing bodies that fail to support them effectively.

"These same bodies frequently raise concerns about exclusion rates, yet their reluctance to uphold policies leaves teachers with limited authority. I remember a time when pupils could be sent home for wearing the wrong-coloured socks. What has changed?"

Coun Watson, whose petition has had almost 400 signatures, added: "That said, safeguarding issues such as upskirting do deserve serious attention. I do not support the idea that girls should be allowed to wear excessively short skirts as part of the uniform. But punishing all girls - as potential victims - for the actions of others, is entirely the wrong approach.

"If safeguarding is the concern, then it is the perpetrators who must be held accountable and educated on respectful behaviour within a progressive society.

"While I understand the challenges schools and staff face, I firmly believe that forcing all girls to wear trousers is a regressive step in terms of feminism, choice, and personal development. Girls should be given the option to wear skirts appropriately - not collectively punished for issues that can and should be managed through existing policy and proper support."

Paul Davies, headteacher of Fred Longworth High, expressed his disappointment that the petition was started, but emphasized that the 'rationale for these changes is clear'. In a statement, backed by the school's chair of trustees, he wrote: "A strong uniform policy is a key tenet in creating a positive environment for learning.

"A uniform in any school acts as a social leveller and this is particularly important in a school like ours which serves a diverse socio-economic community. We make no apologies for the fact that we are a school with high standards, and as part of this, we expect all our students to wear the uniform in the correct way.

"Our adherence to high standards is one of the reasons why Fred Longworth High has a strong and positive behaviour culture and as a result, is a popular and heavily oversubscribed school."

He noted that the 'vast majority' of parents collaborate with the school and are 'broadly supportive' of its policies.

"They can be assured that the decision we have made as a school has the best interests of all children at the forefront, which is why we have taken 18 months to research and plan and prepare parents, carers and students for this change," he continued.

"Matters of school uniform can sometimes divide opinion, but the reasons for making this change are clear. For too long the issue of rolled up skirts and subsequently rolled up dresses here at Fred Longworth High School, as it is in other schools, has become, for too many students, a blatant refusal to follow a basic school rule.

"We first introduced pinafore dresses in 2022 in response to students continually rolling up their skirts, but this did not resolve the issue. For those students who would otherwise wear the uniform correctly; they tell us that due to peer pressure they feel compelled to adjust their uniform and that this pressure increases as they move through the school. This is not the culture we want in our setting."

He remarked that the persistence of girls rolling up their dresses has led to an excessive focus on policing basic uniform issues rather than concentrating on the primary goal of educating children.

"Our priority is for children to enter each classroom in the right frame of mind for learning," Mr Davies asserted. "We don't want continuous negative interactions with students about dresses which can sometimes become confrontational. We don't want members of staff placed in a position whereby they have to challenge inappropriate dress length anymore.

"We want positive interactions with our students because we are a school which prides itself on positive relationships. The timeframe that we have allowed for this means that a number of our students have made the switch to trousers already and it has been noticeable that for some of these students, their relationship with school has improved.

"As an inclusive and respectful school, we are implementing a change that will support many of our girls who are telling us that they feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.

"We are eradicating pressure to wear skirts at inappropriate lengths and therefore removing an unnecessary barrier for our girls. The short length of dresses poses a modesty problem, which in turn can present safeguarding concerns both inside and outside of school.

"From a safeguarding perspective in school, this is particularly important in areas like stairwells. We also want all of our students to feel comfortable in practical subjects such as Drama and DT. In the not-too-distant past, it was once the norm for girls to wear gym skirts, but for practical reasons this is no longer the case in most schools and now, they wear shorts for PE.

"A change to the wider uniform is now necessary to move with current times and challenges. Students do tell us that when they leave school and go home, they tend to wear trousers in some form or other rather than skirts and dresses."

The headteacher noted that the updated uniform policy "will help to maintain our high standards by ensuring that we continue to have a smart, professional and business-like uniform which is appropriate for school".

"We are preparing students for the workplace," he asserted, highlighting the necessity to abide by dress codes across various sectors for either health and safety reasons or to uphold a professional corporate image.

Acknowledging current financial challenges, the school highlighted efforts to curb expenses: "Finally, and particularly important in these current times, we are trying to keep uniform costs down. Currently the parents of girls in our school have the additional cost of a branded dress and in addition to this, tights which can also be costly due to the need for constant replacement."

Canon Slade says the decision to move to trousers for all students 'is one that has been arrived at following more than a year's worth of careful thought and consideration'.

"Adopting trousers for all students will help to empower staff to set an appropriate tone for a high standard of education and provide all students with a sense of belonging. This will in turn promote our professional and inclusive ethos," said a school spokesperson.

"Generic black trousers also provide families with a wider range of shopping outlets from which to choose."

"The wider variety of styles associated with skirts requires schools to be more specific and therefore narrows this potential choice.

"The school has reduced branded items - in line with government guidance - and will continue to support families financially and allow for reasonable adjustments where required."

Responding to the petition, a Wigan Council spokesperson said: "DfE guidance states concerns about uniform policy should be addressed and resolved directly with schools, in accordance with the relevant school's complaints policy."