Gender-neutral school

SIR – As pupils of Highgate School we wholeheartedly support the introduction of a gender-neutral uniform policy (report, July 2).

We are proud to go to a school that strives to ensure its policies reflect the tolerance already promoted by our school environment. While the policy change will be inconsequential for most pupils – it simply authorises anyone, regardless of what gender they identify as, to wear whatever article of clothing they feel most comfortable in, and does not mean that boys will be, or feel, compelled to wear skirts

– it signifies our school’s movement from a binary perspective on gender. Choice of clothes will assist those students who feel uncomfortable with a dress code that doesn’t adequately represent their identity.

Critics of the policy have denigrated it for causing identity confusion among adolescents. Undoubtedly the policy will bring gender identity issues to the forefront of discussion within the school, but we believe that this will lead to better understanding of others, rather than a questioning of oneself. We appreciate that children are impressionable: we would argue that this should incentivise schools to have policies that facilitate acceptance and sensitivity. Research shows that gender-identity issues are very real for some people, and the suggestion that a gender-neutral uniform could lead to confusion is fanciful.

A school should educate and safeguard its pupils. By dispelling the ignorance that surrounds genderidentity issues, we are confident that this policy will take our school closer to fulfilling its responsibility to protect gender-querying pupils from prejudice and, on occasion, bigotry.

Maya Dharampal-hornby

Head of School, 2017-18

Manolis Chyrssanthopoulos

Head of School, 2017-18

Beatrice Barr

Deputy Head of School, 2017-18

Hannah Duffey

Deputy Head of School, 2017-18

Nicholas Roberts

Deputy Head of School, 2017-18 London N6