Debate contribution: School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mrs Julie Middleton on 30 June 2026.

MLA: Mrs Julie Middleton
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 30 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Committee Business
Heading: School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5653632

Text

I welcome the opportunity to outline our party position. While we believe that schools should have autonomy on a range of issues, including uniforms, we will not stand in the way of the Bill progressing. We have been consistent that we trust schools to make decisions in the best interests of our children, and we acknowledge that some parents and children may express their wish to have a flexible uniform policy as a blanket policy for Northern Ireland. It is important to note that our party does not object to female students wearing trousers if they so wish. In fact, some schools already allow for that. Some schools have flexible policies in place, and, of course, we commend those schools for that. It is our position that our schools should be afforded autonomy when it comes to their policies, including their school uniform policy, as set by the board of governors and school leaders. To expand on the point, it is our position that pressing all schools —.
I will not take interventions at this time. I mean that very kindly. To expand on the point, it is our position that pressing all schools to offer trousers as part of the uniform policy for girls may remove a school's ability to create, maintain and review its uniform policy. We are cautious of any legislative move that appears to remove the ability of a school's board of governors to manage its own affairs. Whilst, as stated, we will not object to the Bill, we would like to continue to emphasise how important we feel it is that schools have autonomy. We do not wish to see that removed or a premise laid down to allow for other decisions to be removed from a school's remit altogether. That having been said, I recognise the intentions of the Bill. We look forward to further scrutiny of and consultation on the Bill. We hope to see some of the matters around autonomy being addressed, and we look forward to working respectfully and productively as we move forward with the Bill's content.

347 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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