Both female and male students, parents and some teachers believe that the fact the school has decided to make wearing trousers and laced shoes compulsory for gender neutrality is a complete farce and the rule should be overturned.

There are many reasons why we disagree with this new rule. Many girls struggle to find clothes that will suit their body type and the rule's description of ' tailored loose grey charcoal trousers' is simply not possible.

Can I just say that Appleton academy's new rule shows no understanding for the female students that may have financial troubles, which I and many others find absurd.

Appleton have changed the rules of either having trousers to skirts to just wearing trousers all for the cause of gender neutrality. However, this rule is not the equivalent of gender neutrality. If so, shouldn't the male students of the school be able to wear skirts? This simply does not add up. 

There was lack of communication between the parents/students and the school as not many of their own employees were informed about the change. Not only this, but only a few parents were sent letters about the change.

To further add to this, the school did an interview with the local newspaper Telegraph and Argus, and the school trust stated that ' the majority of parents... are supportive of the change' and also stated that ' our pupils... politely accepted the explanation provided'. This is completely false, all of our complaints have gone to deaf ears. Both students and parents have been using different social media platforms to address the problem and due to our (the students) age, we have not been taken seriously. In fact, many adults have insulted us by calling us 'little tarts', and have said we wear skirts for boys to look up them. One man even insinuated  that its the girl fault for predators looking at them if they wear skirts. Also, a few students asked a teacher why else the rule was being placed and the teacher said that it was a good idea to 'protect male staff'

Quite frankly, for 2019, I find this disgusting and degrading.

I, on behalf of my fellow students, have wrote this because we want our voice to be heard. We are just students who want the rights that we deserve.

here is the telegraph and argus report:https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/17731865.secondary-school-pupils-at-appleton-academy-will-no-longer-be-allowed-to-wear-skirts/