'Just wear correct uniform': Debate over school's 'sexist' sock ban as girls told it's tights or trousers from now on

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A decision to ban girls from wearing socks with their school skirts has sparked a furious debate. We reported on Saturday how the change is being introduced at both Moorside High School in Swinton and Ellesmere Park High School in Eccles, both in Salford and run by the Consilium Academies trust.

Parents told us it's part of the trust's 'clamp down' on girls wearing short skirts and is basically 'telling girls they need to cover their bare legs because males can't control themselves'. Read more: My daughter's £14.34 bag of pick and mix from Manchester Christmas Markets was a disgrace But the trust has stopped short of mentioning the length of skirts in its letter to parents and has instead focused on pupils needing to adhere to 'a professional dress code' that 'prepares them for future professional settings where appearance plays a role'.

Hundreds of readers have responded to our story on the MEN's Facebook page and it's clear that opinion on the issue is divided. "Just wear correct uniform," said one. "I know it sounds extreme at times, but rules are rules, it’s that simple.

Don’t like them don’t send them to that school." "Too many entitled parents that back their kids' behaviour," said another. "You picked that school and knew the policies, either follow them or find a new school." One mum said some of the skirt lengths she has seen on girls is 'obscene' and suggested 'a blanket policy of knee length skirts, and if it doesn’t touch the knee then send them home." But others were more sympathetic and feel the schools are being unnecessarily strict. "Are the female teaching staff also going to wear the same opaque tights if they choose to wear a dress or skirt??" said one.