Yahoo LifestyleTeen spends second day at home after defying school skirt ban
Years ago, it was frowned upon for a woman to wear a pair of trousers to school. But for one school near Bristol, the opposite seems to be true today.
Schoolgirl Sharna Griffin, 15, spent her second day out of school on Monday for wearing a knee-length black skirt.
Officials at Nailsea School near Bristol sent Griffin, who is currently studying for her GCSEs, home for not abiding by their dress code which has a trousers-only policy.
Her father, Paul Griffin, who brought her home from school, was not pleased with the decision.
"Our financial situation meant we could not buy trousers over the weekend, so we sent her to school with a skirt on again and a note explaining why," said Mr Griffin, 44.
[See also: Florida teenagers told to 'pull up their pants' by new law]
Sharna’s mother Gemma was equally upset. She told thisissomerset.co.uk: "I completely understand the issue of female students wearing skirts which are too short or tight and agree that should not be allowed. "But the skirt that Sharna was wearing was brand new and knee length and totally suitable for school and she looked very smart.
"By making girls wear trousers only is surely infringing on their human rights and surely they should be given the choice?
"I understand that other girls in Sharna's house group were also sent home for wearing skirts. I think this ban is totally unnecessary and that the school should be concentrating on the students' education rather than focusing on what they wear.”
The school introduced a trousers-only policy this term because of girls turning up in short skirts.
Headteacher David had this to say at the time the decision was made back in May: 'After a vigorous debate, it was decided by an overwhelming majority that in order to enable all students to participate fully in the learning activities trousers represent a much more practical option.
‘After consistent warnings, and clear indications on the school website about the consequences of flouting the rules, the school governors have decided that taking skirts out of the option will make life simpler for parents and teachers alike.'
Do you think banning skirts leads to a better learning environment? And should economic considerations come into play with make decisions about dress code policy?
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