Newhouse Academy in Heywood has temporarily halted its plan to enforce a trousers-only uniform for all pupils following strong objections from parents who argue the policy restricts girls’ clothing options and identity expression. The decision aims to promote inclusivity and practicality, but has sparked a wider debate as other UK schools adopt similar measures.
Parents have expressed strong discontent following Newhouse Academy’s announcement of a new uniform policy requiring all pupils, both boys and girls, to wear plain black trousers, effectively ending the option for girls to wear skirts. The school, located in Heywood, sent the notification to families ahead of the Easter break, with the policy intended to take effect from September.
The letter, authored by headteacher Alex Burnham, outlined the school’s intention to “move away from skirts being a part of the girl’s uniform” to create a more inclusive, practical, and comfortable environment. However, this decision has sparked considerable backlash among parents, particularly those whose children are due to start at the academy in the upcoming school year.
One mother, whose daughter will be joining Year 7 this autumn, expressed her frustration to the Manchester Evening News. She criticised the school for not mentioning the change during previous open evening events, stating that if she had been aware of the trousers-only policy at the time, she “would never have considered this school.” She added that both existing families and incoming parents are “in uproar” over the measure, describing it as discriminatory against females and restricting young girls’ ability to wear clothing that reflects their identity.
In response to concerns, headteacher Burnham emphasised that the decision had been made after “careful and thoughtful consideration,” including reviewing guidance from other schools and seeking feedback from the school community. He explained: “We have decided that all students will now wear trousers as part of their standard school uniform, thus creating a more inclusive, practical and comfortable learning environment for all.”
Burnham further highlighted that the change aimed to promote equality, consistency, and comfort, while supporting the school’s broader efforts to foster “an inclusive culture, where every student feels respected, represented and is ready to learn.”
Following the negative feedback, the school has put the proposal on hold to allow for additional consultation. In a subsequent letter and statement to the Manchester Evening News, Burnham wrote: “We have been hugely heartened by the response to our proposal… There have been lots of positive comments from parents, staff and the students themselves.” Nevertheless, acknowledging ongoing concerns, he stated the school would “pause the decision to proceed with our proposal so that we can further listen to the views of our community.” The school plans to make a final announcement later this term.
Newhouse Academy is not the only school moving towards a trousers-only policy. Fred Longworth High in Tyldesley will also implement a trousers-only uniform for girls starting this September, removing the option to wear pinafores. Similarly, secondary schools such as Buile Hill Academy in Salford, Moorside High School in Swinton, and Ellesmere Park High School in Eccles have recently introduced uniform changes limiting girls’ options, including prohibiting socks with skirts.
The shift reflects a broader trend in some UK schools towards more uniform policies that emphasise trousers for all pupils, with the stated aims of inclusivity and practicality prompting varied reactions from school communities.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://newhouseacademy.co.uk/uniform-and-equipment/ – This URL supports the claim about Newhouse Academy’s uniform policy, although it does not directly address the recent change to trousers-only for girls. It details the general uniform requirements, including the option for skirts, which is being reconsidered.
- https://newhouseacademy.co.uk/policies/ – This page provides access to various policies at Newhouse Academy, which could include updates or rationales behind the uniform policy changes, though specific details about the trousers-only policy are not listed here.
- https://anyflip.com/xilhk/dfrc/basic – This prospectus does not directly address the uniform policy change but provides general information about the school, which might include past practices or future plans regarding uniforms.
- https://www.noahwire.com – The source article itself, though without a direct link provided in your query, discusses Newhouse Academy’s uniform policy change and reactions from parents. It serves as the primary source for understanding the controversy and context.
- https://www.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/1435/manchester_evening_news – This URL is not directly related to the content of your query, but Manchester Evening News is mentioned as a source where parents expressed frustration. The actual article or report from Manchester Evening News about Newhouse Academy’s uniform policy is not provided here.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/school-uniform – This URL provides general information about school uniform policies in the UK, which can offer a broader context for why schools like Newhouse Academy might consider changes to their uniforms for inclusivity and practicality.
- https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/parents-furious-schools-plan-ban-31513128 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative discusses a current and evolving situation regarding uniform policy changes at Newhouse Academy and other schools for the upcoming September term. The mention of ‘plans’ and the school pausing the decision due to ongoing consultation indicates recent developments rather than recycled or outdated news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes from headteacher Alex Burnham and a parent were first reported in this context by the Manchester Evening News; no earlier references to these specific quotes are found online, suggesting original reporting. The quotes align with official statements from the school.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is from the Manchester Evening News, a regional UK publication with a longstanding reputation for local news coverage, which lends reasonable reliability. However, it is not a national-level outlet, so while credible, coverage may have local focus and perspective.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The reported policy change aligns with a documented trend among UK schools towards inclusive uniform policies favouring trousers to promote comfort and equality. The school’s rationale and responses fit known patterns for such changes, and the refusal to proceed without community consultation is plausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides a timely and credible account of ongoing uniform policy changes at Newhouse Academy and other local schools. It includes original quotes from the headteacher and affected parents, is sourced from a reputable regional publication, and reflects plausible, current developments consistent with wider regional trends. There is no evidence of outdated or recycled content.
