- Co-op Academies Trust implemented a trousers-only uniform policy for secondary schools starting September 2026.
- Girls at Co-op Academy Failsworth were reportedly turned away from lessons on September 2 and 3, 2026, for wearing skirts.
- Parents, including Samantha Scholes and Samantha Gallier, criticized the policy as ‘sexist’ and ‘discriminatory.’
- Similar trousers-only policies were adopted by Brynteg School in Wales and Northern Education Trust schools in Teesside.
Beginning in September 2026, a new uniform policy across several Co-op Academies Trust secondary schools mandated tailored trousers for all students, effectively banning skirts. This decision ignited immediate controversy, with parents describing the move as ‘woke’ and ‘sexist.’
The policy’s implementation led to scenes of distress, particularly at Co-op Academy Failsworth. Girls arriving in skirts were reportedly denied access to their classrooms, some left in tears.
What looks like a simple uniform update actually reflects a broader societal tension. The debate extends beyond attire, touching on issues of gender identity, traditional values, and school autonomy.
The Policy Shift
Co-op Academies Trust, a multi-academy trust operating numerous schools across the UK, announced the uniform change earlier in the year. The new rule, effective from the start of the September 2026 academic term, stipulated that all secondary school students must wear tailored trousers. This applied to institutions such as Co-op Academy Failsworth, Co-op Academy Walkden, Co-op Academy Swinton, Co-op Academy North Manchester, Co-op Academy Manchester, and Co-op Academy Belle Vue.
The stated aim of such policies often centers on creating a more inclusive environment, reducing gender distinctions, and promoting a focus on learning. However, the practical application of the policy met with significant resistance from parents.
Parental Outcry at Failsworth
The first days of the new academic year, September 2 and 3, 2026, saw the policy enforced rigorously at Co-op Academy Failsworth. Samantha Scholes, a parent with daughters in Years 10 and 11, reported her children were
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