Wicklow primary school to introduce gender-neutral uniform policy this September

A primary school in Wicklow will have a gender-neutral school uniform policy from this September.

Pupils at St Brigid's National School in Greystones will be allowed to wear a pinafore or trousers as part of their uniform, regardless of whether they are male or female, reports the Irish Times. The school has said that it wants children who are figuring out their gender identity to feel accepted. The suggestion came from the school's student council and was agreed upon by parents and the board of management. Until now, girls at the school had to wear a green tartan pinafore while boys were required to wear grey trousers and a green jumper. From September, girls will be allowed to wear trousers and boys will be allowed to wear a pinafore. There are children in the school who are questioning their gender identity, St Brigid's principal Máire Costello told the publication.

"We want all our children to have a happy experience in school,” she said.

“If that means girls wearing trousers or boys wearing skirts, so be it. The most important thing is that children should feel comfortable and happy over how they are dressed.”

Ms Costello said she was "proud" of how the students raised the issue. They surveyed children in the school and made their case to the board of management. The school is also planning to phase out specific toilets for boys and girls and to introduce gender-neutral ones.