Parents have criticised a school where pupils have been put into isolation amid a row over the length of their skirts.
Students' uniforms were checked on their arrival at Stretford High School, Trafford, last week in what headteacher Nicola Doward described as a crackdown on standards.
Among the issues schoolgirls were pulled up was the length of their skirts, which school stipulates should be black or grey and 'knee length'.
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Anyone's found to be shorter was told to either replace it themselves or wear a new one provided by school. Failure to do so meant they were put in isolation.
But parents have criticised the rules as 'draconian' and 'unnecessary', leaving their Year 7 youngsters feeling uncomfortable at a time when they are already conscious over their changing bodies.
One mum said her daughter's skirt met the 'knee length' requirement, but teachers disagreed and when she refused to change into one of the skirts at school, she was put is isolation for the whole day.
"This is a draconian policy and nothing about what my daughter wears is inappropriate," said the mum. "Her skirt is knee length and there was no need to change into a new school skirt.
"But because she didn't, she had to go into isolation where teachers spoke out how disappointed they are in them.
"These are young impressionable girls and her body is changing. She has an eating disorder already and she doesn't need teachers telling them how they can dress."
The mum-of-two, aged 45, said work was given to her daughter in the isolation room, but she missed her science lesson when she has an assessment this week.
"I wouldn't let her go to school in something that looks unacceptable," she added. "She's very shy and sensitive about her body and this made her feel crap."
Another said her daughter's skirt was 'mid thigh' length, as she has long legs and a bigger size wouldn't fit on the waist, but said it had never been an issue until now.
"She got changed at home and her skirt was fine. Just because she refused to change into something she wasn't comfortable in, she got put in isolation. It's just an excuse for a crackdown as far as I can tell.
"One of the reasons staff spoke about was it being unhygienic, but I think it's very wrong for them to suggest to young girls that they're being unhygienic. Some of the comments my daughter said were made are very misogynistic."
The mum-of-two added: "The whole thing is ridiculous. Yes, when pupils go to a school the parents agree to abide by the uniform policy - I don't disagree with a uniform at all - I think it's a good thing, but this seems to have been changed mid year without any consultation and that's not acceptable."
Mrs Doward however, insisted there has not been any policy change and before Christmas she informed parents and pupils that checks would be made in the new year, with 'sanctions' for those who don't comply.
"Pupils will be asked to remove items which are not in line with our expectations (unsuitable earrings, neckwear, skirts, hoodies, caps, footwear, rings and nails - please keep in mind when investing in these items over the holiday period)," said the letter. "Removed items will be collected and returned at the end of the day."
It added: "Please note, students who do not meet the 'Ready' expectations will be offered the opportunity to do so but refusal to cooperate or persistent infractions will result in sanctions. Obviously, this would not be an ideal start to 2023, so we ask that you help your child to come back to school on 3rd January fully 'Ready'."
The headteacher told the Manchester Evening News that out of 952 pupils, there were 27 cases of students not having correct uniform - from issues with jewellery and ties, to boys wearing trainers instead of shoes.
"This is not a new policy, it's always been the case that skirts should be knee length," she said. "But we noticed there were some uniform infractions so we decided to have a fresh push.
"I sent home a message alerting parents that we'd be having a uniform push - not just relating to skirts - and reiterated what the school rules are.
"I also linked to some research to show that often having a good uniform does have links to improved pupil outcomes."
She said families were also told that if anybody was struggling to replace any item of uniform, they could request financial support from the school's support fund.
"Students were not put in isolation for having a short skirt," she added. "If they were put in isolation it was for refusal to cooperate with school rules. We have given them the opportunity to comply.
"Most of our parents and pupils understand that in order for school to run well, we have to have rules."
What do you think of the school's uniform rules? Is the school being unreasonable asking pupils to change? Has there been a similar issue at your child's school? Let us know in the comments here.
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