Highgate School, a private school in North London, is planning on introducing gender neutral uniforms.
The school is planning to introduce a mix-and-match uniform and would allow boys to wear pleated skirts. Girls are already allowed to wear trousers, jackets and ties.
The move comes as a response to a number of children questioning their gender. The school has already put in place measures for staff to observe gender-neutral speech and has banned phrases such as ‘man up’.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, headmaster Adam Pettitt said, “This generation is really questioning being binary in the way we look at things.”
“We’re therefore exploring how our uniform policy could evolve to cater for those who do want to match clothing to gender, as well as those who don’t.”
He continued saying, “In common with all other schools and youth organisations, yes, we are seeing greater numbers of pupils questioning gender identity than in the past.”
“Having said that, in years gone by, absolutely no young people were raising it at all and it seems inconceivable that these sorts of questions simply didn’t exist.”
“The fact that there is significantly greater support and information available, both in schools and elsewhere, means that young people need no longer feel afraid to ask questions or speak out about their feelings.”
“If they feel happier and more secure in who they are, it must be a good thing.”
The school is also holding “The Developing Teenager” conference next month which will look at how teachers and staff approach problems raised by cis, trans and gender-neutral students.
