Address equitable uniform options and approaches
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs’
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Support a positive environment for learning
Support a positive environment for learning
When students have to wear uniforms they don’t feel comfortable about, the likelihood of their leaving school early or being disengaged from learning increases.
Ideally all schools should have uniform options that include both pants and skirts and zero tolerance of any bullying of students related to the uniform they choose to wear.
Develop inclusive uniform policies
Develop inclusive uniform policies
“There's five options for the uniform, and as long as you wear them in their entirety, you can wear which ever uniform you please.”
![10937 [Inclusive-uniform-policies.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Inclusive-uniform-policies__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Tips for inclusive uniforms
Tips for inclusive uniforms
Providing flexible, inclusive uniform options is a critical step in preventing discrimination on the basis of gender.
- Provide students with the option of wearing any part of the school uniform, regardless of their gender.
- Categorise uniform options by type rather than by gender – “shirts” and “trousers”, rather than “boy’s uniform” and “girl’s uniform”.
- Enforce uniform standards equally, regardless of gender identity (for example, hair length, make up and jewellery).
- Explicitly acknowledge transgender and gender diverse students in your school uniform policy or dress code.
- Actively publicise your new school uniform policy in the school newsletter, website, and foyer notice boards.
Source: Adapted from Gender is not uniform (opens in a new tab/window)
Facilitate community discussion
Facilitate community discussion
Consider together how gender-diverse uniform options can help remove barriers to learning and support engagement.
![10938 [Gender-is-not-a-uniform.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Gender-is-not-a-uniform__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Useful resources
Useful resources
Affirming diversity of sexualities and gender identities in the school community
Read time: 36 min
Guidelines to assist boards of trustees and PPTA branches to consider how well their schools recognise and affirm diversity of sexualities and gender identities. Published by the PPTA.
Publisher: New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association
Dunedin North Intermediate School uniform procedure
The school uniform policy of Dunedin North Intermediate School.
Publisher: Dunedin North Intermediate School
Download PDF
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs”:
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Current page Address equitable uniform options
Return to the guide “Supporting LGBTQIA+ students”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: LGBTQIA+ students
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversityShow suggestions for Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversity
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Design inclusive school-wide systems and processesShow suggestions for Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes
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Address immediate environmental, physical and social needsShow suggestions for Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs
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Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculumShow suggestions for Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculum
