Grammar pupils say dress code is ‘sexualising girls’

STUDENTS at a top girls’ grammar school have accused teachers of “sexualising” them by banning short sleeves in hot weather.

The girls have launched a petition to end “oppressive and demeaning” uniform rules which ban students from wearing strappy or sleeveless tops revealing their shoulders.

Sixth-form pupils at Simon Langton Girl’s Grammar School in Canterbury, Kent, are rallying to get teachers to overturn rules restricting the type of tops they can wear.

More than 130 people have backed the online campaign, which was launched as the country basked in this week’s heatwave.

The students want the school, which was founded in 1881 and has 1,025 girls aged 11 to 18, to reconsider its policy, arguing they should be able to feel “comfortable” in a school environment.

The petition reads: “Many of the students in the SLGGS sixth form have disagreed with the dress code rule that states girls should not wear strappy or sleeveless tops that reveal shoulders.

“This rule encourages the disturbing sexualisation of young girls’ bodies, most of which are underage. The argument that shoulders shouldn’t be seen in a workplace is irrelevant, as our generation is the future workforce.

“It is our job to change the oppressive and demeaning standards that women are forced to abide by, or nothing will change in the future.”

Year 12 pupil Ania Franzcuk, told Dailymail.co.uk: “I don’t think that any clothing changes will affect pupils’ work. Whatever they wear they are going to work, it is not going to make any difference. But if you are not comfortable you are not going to be able to work well.”

Pupils at the selective grammar are permitted to wear their own clothes in Years 12 and 13 but must abide by a strict dress code.

Writing on a public school forum, a pupil behind the campaign cited feminist critic Laura Mulvey and said women were only forced to cover up due to the oppressive male gaze.

She wrote: “I understand that the rules in place are somewhat important, but I am not arguing that bikini tops or very short shorts should be allowed.

“The only reason that ‘boobs and bum cheeks’ are deemed inappropriate for school is because of oppression women have received from the male gaze over the years.

“Nudity shouldn’t be sexualised. I’m not sure what I’ve got and I’m not trying to flaunt it to anybody, I just want to feel comfortable.”

Dr Matthew Baxter, who is head of The Langton boys’ school as well as the sister school, said: “The subject was discussed with the deputy heads and it has been decided that both Langton schools will ensure that the same dress code applies to all students within their sixth form.”

‘The only reason that boobs and bum cheeks are deemed inappropriate is the oppression of the male gaze’