Girls in Northern Ireland are to be given the right to wear trousers at school under uniform guidelines that will apply from the 2027/28 academic year.
The guidance states that school uniform policies for that year onwards must include trousers as an available option for girls. The requirement means schools will need to ensure their uniform rules do not restrict girls to other forms of dress where a trouser option is sought.
The change concerns school uniform policies across Northern Ireland and sets a clear expectation for future school years. It places the option to wear trousers within formal uniform arrangements rather than leaving it solely to individual school discretion.
The latest known position is that the requirement will take effect for uniform policies from the 2027/28 school year onwards, giving schools time to reflect the change in their rules before it comes into force.
