Girls guaranteed choice to wear trousers at Northern Ireland schools

Girls at schools across Northern Ireland will be guaranteed the option to wear trousers as part of their school uniform from the 2027/28 school year.

Education Minister Paul Givan has revised legally binding school uniform guidelines so schools must provide the choice throughout the year, including for PE and Games.

Ulster Unionist Party leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has welcomed the decision as a “common-sense outcome”.

Girls across Northern Ireland will be guaranteed the choice to wear trousers as part of their school uniform under revised legally binding guidelines issued by Education Minister Paul Givan.

The change will apply from the 2027/28 school year and means school uniform policies must include trousers as an option for girls throughout the school year.

The requirement will also apply to clothing arrangements for PE and Games.

Parents and schools can read more about the existing statutory uniform rules on the Department of Education school uniform page.

Girls’ trousers must be offered by Northern Ireland schools

Under the revised guidelines, schools will no longer have discretion over whether girls can choose trousers as part of their uniform.

From 2027/28, schools will be required to ensure girls have that option.

Announcing the change, Education Minister Paul Givan said he had listened carefully to the views of young people.

He said:

“I have listened carefully over recent months to young people and the message is clear: girls want the choice to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.”

Mr Givan said there had to be a balance between individual schools setting their own uniform policies and the level of direction provided by the Department of Education.

However, he said the issue mattered to many young people and the revised guidelines would remove uncertainty for pupils, parents and schools.

He added:

“The revised guidelines will guarantee that girls have the option to wear trousers in every school. My Department will continue to engage with and support schools as they implement the new requirements.”

The current statutory School Uniforms Guidelines can be viewed on the Department of Education website.

Jon Burrows welcomes school uniform change

Ulster Unionist Party leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA welcomed the announcement.

He described the change as a “common-sense outcome”.

Mr Burrows said:

“Girls have that choice in the workplace, and it is only right that they have it at school.”

However, he argued that the issue could have been dealt with through Department of Education guidance earlier.

Mr Burrows said the Education Committee subsequently had to pursue legislation dealing specifically with the right of pupils to wear trousers.

He added:

“I listened to girls and supported change from the outset in the interests of choice, comfort and practicality.

“This is a positive outcome for girls, parents and schools.”

School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill

The change follows months of discussion at Stormont over school uniform rules.

The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Education Committee introduced the School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill on 22 June 2026.

The proposed legislation would amend the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 and create a statutory right for all pupils to wear trousers as part of their school uniform.

You can read the School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill as introduced on the Northern Ireland Assembly website.

The Bill also proposes that uniform guidelines permit pupils to wear trousers, shorts or other appropriate leg coverings while taking part in recreational, sporting or outdoor activities.

The Northern Ireland Assembly says the Bill was introduced on 22 June 2026, completed Second Stage on 30 June 2026, and remains at Committee Stage.

What changes from the 2027/28 school year?

The revised guidelines mean schools must include a trouser option for girls within their uniform policies from the 2027/28 academic year.

The choice must be available throughout the school year rather than being restricted to particular seasons.

Schools will also be required to reflect the change when establishing appropriate uniform options for PE and Games.

Importantly, the change does not mean girls will be required to wear trousers.

Instead, it guarantees that trousers are available as a choice.

Wider changes to Northern Ireland school uniforms

The latest announcement forms part of wider reforms to school uniform rules across Northern Ireland.

The School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 received Royal Assent on 19 February 2026.

The legislation placed a legal duty on the Department of Education to publish statutory guidelines which grant-aided and independent primary and post-primary schools must follow.

The guidelines replaced the previous non-statutory system and became operational for schools from February 2026.

More information is available from the Department of Education’s School Uniform Legislation page.

The wider framework places increased emphasis on issues including affordability, comfort and practicality when schools develop and review their uniform policies.

Families who need help with school clothing costs may also be entitled to assistance.

Information about clothing grants is available through the Department of Education school uniform information page, which links to the relevant NI Direct support information.

What happens next?

Schools will have time to prepare for the new requirement before it becomes mandatory for the 2027/28 school year.

The Department of Education has said it will continue working with schools as the revised requirements are implemented.

For further information:

• Department of Education – School Uniforms Guidelines
• Department of Education – School Uniform Legislation
• Northern Ireland Assembly – School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill
• Northern Ireland Assembly – progress of the School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill

What do you think of the change? Should girls always have the choice between skirts and trousers as part of their school uniform?