Essex School Pauses Skirt Ban After Parent Backlash

Honywood School in Coggeshall planned to ban skirts from its uniform policy starting in September, aiming to create a more inclusive, gender-neutral dress code and address ongoing issues with skirts being worn incorrectly. The school proposed replacing skirts with black trousers or tailored shorts, which it said would also be more affordable for families. However, the decision sparked significant backlash from parents who criticized the policy as a 'group punishment' and complained about the lack of consultation prior to the announcement. In response to the criticism, headteacher James Saunders has paused the implementation of the changes to gather further feedback from families and ensure a more measured discussion. Saunders acknowledged the complexity of the debate, noting that discussions around gender neutrality can sometimes become discriminatory or emotional, and emphasized the importance of community dialogue. The school expressed a desire to find a mutually accepted solution and regretted that media coverage preempted their usual community engagement approach.