24 February 2023 , 20:31
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A school has been forced to shut after a protest by parents and students following a controversial ban on skirts.
The Warriner School in Banbury, Oxfordshire, sent an urgent message to mums and dads to collect their children after being advised by the police about safety concerns.
Officers were called to the grounds after an angry reaction to uniform the new policy.
It included the banning of all skirts for female students, with all students told to wear black tailored trousers.
OxfordshireLive reports that Thames Valley Police were called and the decision was made to close the school.
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In an email sent to parents, the school said: "We have made the very difficult decision to close the school today. If you are able to please come and collect your child, please do immediately.
"We are calling the busses and will update you when we know about their arrival."
The school had to be closed after a mass student protests against the changes to uniform requirements (Google Maps)One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Banbury Guardian: "The girls are getting the message that this is your fault because of how you dress, they are learning what it's like to face blame over appearance. Let's not stand by and let them accept this!"
Another parent compared the initial letter sent to parents about the uniform change to something from the women's suffragette's movement.
They said: "You send out this nonsense message that women yet again have to conform to a man's world, women again are coming second to men."
The Warriner School posted a letter to students and parents yesterday informing them of the uniform changes.
It included no skirts, with all students to wear black tailored trousers.
It also clarified students will be able to wear black tailored knee length shorts in the summer term.
Gender neutral Physical Education kit would also be required.
With regards to the banning of skirts for all female students, the letter read: "This was a decision made because, unfortunately, there is still a challenge by a lot of our female students wearing their skirts to our desired appropriate length.
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"Students who roll skirts to an inappropriate length are sending out the wrong social message in their choice of style – they seem to feel they need to conform to a certain image, in order to fit in with friendship groups.
"We feel this has no place in an educational setting and for this reason we are introducing trousers for all students."
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of a disturbance at The Warriner School in Bloxham at around 9.10am this morning.
"Neighbourhood and response officers attended to ensure the safety of students and staff. No arrests have been made."