Equality Impact Assessment

Policy: Trouser-Only Uniform Policy for Secondary Academies Implementation: September 2026

1. Policy Overview

The Trust will introduce a single uniform across all secondary academies. All pupils will wear tailored trousers. Sports or stretch fabrics will not be permitted under the new uniform policy.

Reasonable adjustments will be made for pupils with disabilities or special educational needs in line with Equality Act 2010 duties. This will also be the case for any student with a particular need or requirement and will not be limited to those who have a diagnosis.

Detailed academy-specific guidance will be published on individual academy websites by the Easter holidays. Families have been provided with advance notice and invited to provide feedback via the Edurio survey.

2. Evidence Base and Rationale

The decision has been informed by research and cost analysis indicating that traditional uniform options, particularly skirts and dresses, can limit pupil comfort, confidence, and participation in school life.

Research considered:

Dr Mairead Ryan (2024): Gendered uniform expectations may restrict participation and reinforce traditional gender norms.
Dr Alice Porter (2025): Practical uniform options are linked to improved engagement in active learning environments.
The Children's Society (2023): Recurring costs of tights, skirts, and pinafores create a financial burden for families.

Conclusion:

Tailored trousers support participation in practical subjects (science, construction, engineering) and everyday school movement.
Removal of skirts and pinafores reduces recurring costs.
A single uniform ensures parity of cost between boys and girls. Currently an uniform is more expensive for parents if their child is a girl compared to a boy.
The policy aligns with the Trust’s commitment to equality, inclusion, and financial fairness.

3. Sector Benchmarking

The Trust has reviewed uniform policies across secondary academies within Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Stoke, Leeds, and Bradford.

Findings:

Multiple academies operate trouser-only policies in communities with comparable demographic, ethnic, and religious representation.
Within the Trust, Co-op Academy Grange successfully operates a trouser-only policy within a cohort of ~77% Muslim pupils, demonstrating compatibility with faith-based modesty expectations.

Benchmarking demonstrates operational viability and alignment with contemporary educational practice. The Trust does not rely solely on sector practice, but this supports the reasonableness and proportionality of the proposed policy.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

The Trust considered whether to undertake a formal consultation prior to implementing the trouser-only policy.

Rationale for not consulting:

The policy applies equally to all pupils, removing gender-differentiated requirements rather than introducing new restrictions.
Research evidence and benchmarking from other trusts provide a strong, evidence-based rationale for the change.
Internal Trust experience demonstrates operational viability across diverse communities.
A formal consultation was unlikely to materially change the proposed approach.

Instead of a formal consultation, the Trust has:

Communicated the policy and rationale 25 February 2026 to all families in advance of implementation 1 September 2026.
Invited parents and carers to share feedback through the Edurio survey, allowing the Trust to capture stakeholder views and identify any emerging concerns.
Committed to monitoring the impact of the policy during the first year of operation and reviewing outcomes to ensure fairness, proportionality, and alignment with Trust values.

This approach demonstrates that the Trust has had due regard for potential impacts while maintaining a proportionate, evidence-led policy decision.

5. Impact on Protected Characteristics

Sex

Impact: Removal of skirts primarily affects female pupils.

Assessment:

The policy applies equally to all pupils.
Legitimate aims: active learning, gender neutrality, and cost parity.
Retaining optional skirts was considered but rejected because it would maintain cost inequity, reinforce gender distinctions, and create inconsistency across academies.

Risk: Medium (mitigated through research, benchmarking, and advance communication).

Gender Reassignment

Impact: Likely positive.

Removes the need for pupils to select items aligned with traditional gender categories.
Reduces stigma and supports pupils questioning or transitioning gender identity.

Risk: Low.

Religion or Belief

Assessment:

Loose-fitting tailored trousers are compatible with modesty requirements in all major faith communities represented in the Trust.
Benchmarking demonstrates successful implementation in comparable high-faith-representation settings.

Risk: Low (monitored post-implementation).

Disability

Assessment:

Reasonable adjustments will be made for pupils with SEND or disabilities where required (sensory, medical, or EHCP-related needs).

Risk: Low (with mitigation in place).

Socioeconomic Status

Assessment:

The policy reduces recurring costs (tights, pinafores) and simplifies uniform purchasing, supporting families experiencing financial pressure.

Risk: Positive impact.

6. Proportionality Conclusion

Taking into account:

Research evidence and cost analysis
Sector and internal benchmarking
Advance communication to families and feedback via the Edurio survey
Reasonable adjustment provisions

The Trust concludes that introducing a trouser-only, gender-neutral uniform is a proportionate means of achieving legitimate aims related to equality, participation, and cost parity.

The Trust will monitor feedback received through the Edurio survey and review the policy after the first academic year to ensure fairness and proportionality.

7. Overall Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation)

Area	Risk / Impact
Sex discrimination	Medium
Gender reassignment	Low / Positive
Religion	Low
Disability	Low (with adjustments)
Socioeconomic	Positive impact

	Neutral Impact	Reasons
Age	x	There is no adverse impact as the uniform policy and guidelines will be applied equally across all age groups and settings
Disability	x	There is no adverse impact as reasonable adjustments will be made to uniform items to support personal care as a result of individual pupil health needs. Reasonable adjustments will be made for pupils with SEND or disabilities where required (sensory, medical, or EHCP-related needs).
Gender - including transgender and issues relating to pregnancy and maternity	x	There is no adverse impact. The policy and guidelines relates to all pupils and is gender neutral. The policy reduces stigma and differentiation for those undergoing gender reassignment.
Race/Ethnicity	x	There is no adverse impact. The uniform guidelines provide a uniform which is modest and meets differing cultural needs.
Religion or belief	x	There is no adverse impact. The uniform outlined is modest and supports cultural requirements to wear modest attire. The policy and uniform guidelines considered enables all Trust academies to mirror consistent practices and uniform standards which supports attire so abayas do not need to be worn to protect modesty and comfort. Hijabs can be worn with the uniform as outlined which further supports modest attire and identity.
Sexual Orientation	x	There is no adverse impact. The uniform policy and guidelines is gender neutral and applies to all pupils equally.

If an adverse negative impact has been identified can it be justified on any grounds?
There is no adverse impact identified. The evidence base considered for the introduction of gender neutral uniform items has been cited and the conclusion supporting the decision includes; Tailored trousers support participation in practical subjects (science, construction, engineering) and everyday school movement. Removal of skirts and pinafores reduces recurring costs. A single uniform ensures parity of cost between boys and girls. The policy aligns with the Trust’s commitment to equality, inclusion, and financial fairness. Whilst cost fairness is not a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act it is an important consideration to ensure all pupils within Co-op academies Trust have the same access to clothing for school which is affordable and equitable to ensure we have academies which are inclusive and education is accessible for all pupils. Uniform cannot be a socio-economic differentiator which inhibits access to learning. Furthermore benchmarking was undertaken within the sector which supports the reasonableness of the uniform policy. Parents and carers can provide feedback via the Edurio survey and the policy will be monitored during the 2026/27 academic year to ensure fairness, proportionality and alignment with Trust values.

If an adverse negative impact has been identified can it be justified on any grounds?

There is no adverse impact identified. The evidence base considered for the introduction of gender neutral uniform items has been cited and the conclusion supporting the decision includes;

Tailored trousers support participation in practical subjects (science, construction, engineering) and everyday school movement.
Removal of skirts and pinafores reduces recurring costs.
A single uniform ensures parity of cost between boys and girls.
The policy aligns with the Trust’s commitment to equality, inclusion, and financial fairness.

Whilst cost fairness is not a protected characteristic under the Equalities Act it is an important consideration to ensure all pupils within Co-op academies Trust have the same access to clothing for school which is affordable and equitable to ensure we have academies which are inclusive and education is accessible for all pupils. Uniform cannot be a socio-economic differentiator which inhibits access to learning. Furthermore benchmarking was undertaken within the sector which supports the reasonableness of the uniform policy. Parents and carers can provide feedback via the Edurio survey and the policy will be monitored during the 2026/27 academic year to ensure fairness, proportionality and alignment with Trust values.

Does the proposed policy directly or indirectly discriminate against any group of pupils?
Yes	No x	Comment Given the policy is supported by evidence, benchmarking and has given consideration to the factors identified, it is considered that the proposal for uniforms does not adversely impact on any of the identified characteristics within the Equalities Act. It also seeks to redress any imbalances arising from differing socio-economic backgrounds within our pupil populations to create equality of access to teaching and learning.