Thursday, 13 February 2025 08:14 GMT

Re “The hidden cost of school uniforms,” by Rachael Smith (School Health Pulse Evidence brief, December 3rd)

Dear Editor,

Clothing matters. How an item feels, pulls or sits, its colour and fabric, all matter for how it supports movement. It also matters because school uniforms are the first symbolic differentiator between boys and girls.

Skirted items affect if a girl moves, bends, kneels, climb or jumps. As girls grow up, and the clothing makes her more aware of her body, she will alter her movement and habits to accommodate the item. Clothing is vital for long term health, but most school uniforms only serve tradition.

Section 2.17 of the Equality Act 2010 and School Guidance (2014) under the heading ‘Uniform’, states:

‘differences in dress requirements for girls and boys are standard and…are unlikely to be regarded as discriminatory.’

However, evidence proves PE kit is detrimental for girls. Only 1 in 4 feel confident in their PE kit, and 46% of 14–15-year-olds report reduced self-confidence stops them being more active at school.

My research, ‘Practical, Professional or Patriarchal?’, shows gendered uniforms are unequivocally linked to the high drop-out rates of teenage girls in school sport. Updating policies to allow more choice and comfort is crucial to remove this barrier in schools and across sports.

Tess Howard MBE

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

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