Brighton College drops gendered uniform

Brighton College has dropped its 170 year-old gendered uniform rules to accommodate for transgender pupils.

The private school has moved away from a ‘boys and ‘girls’ uniform, and instead will introduce a ‘trouser uniform’ and a ‘skirt uniform’.

The move is in recognition of gender dysmorphia, where an individual does not feel their biological sex matches their gender identity, and boys and girls will be able to choose which uniform they would prefer to wear.

The decision reportedly followed requests from a small number of families and so far at least one pupil has decided to take the option.

Richard Cairns, the head teacher, said: “The college’s approach is different from most other schools that have tended to give transgender children personal leeway with uniform. Brighton College has instead decided to abolish the notion of boys’ and girl’ schools altogether.

“It ties in with my strong personal belief that youngsters should be respected for who they are. If some boys and girls are happier identifying with a different gender from that in which they were born, then my job is to make sure that we accommodate that. My only interest as head master is their welfare and happiness.”