Girls in Northern Ireland are to be given the legal right to wear trousers in school if they wish to do so, under revised guidance issued by Education Minister Paul Givan. From the start of the 2027/2028 academic year, schools will be banned from prohibiting girls from wearing trousers, with the change also applying to physical education and games lessons.
Givan announced the decision on 11 September 2026 and said it will take immediate effect ahead of the next academic year. The minister explained that schools will have until the 2027/28 school year to update their uniform policies, allowing them time to prepare for the transition.
How did this decision come about?
Northern Ireland already has laws governing school uniforms. The School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act received Royal Assent on 19 February 2026 and required statutory guidelines for all grant-aided and independent primary and post-primary schools. The Department of Education's statutory guidelines came into operation on 20 February 2026, replacing earlier non-statutory guidance.
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Education Committee had previously called on the minister to go further and had planned to bring forward a dedicated bill to ensure all schools give girls the choice to wear trousers. The Assembly bill was introduced on 22 June 2026 and passed Second Stage on 30 June 2026, reflecting growing momentum for the change.
What exactly will the new guidance require?
The revised guidelines stipulate that school uniform policies for the 2027/28 school year onwards must include the option for girls to wear trousers throughout the school year, including for PE and Games. According to reporting on the revised guidance, the policy covers PE and games uniforms, including tracksuit bottoms, leggings, shorts, skorts or similar alternatives.
A statement published on the Department of Education website confirmed:
The guidelines issued today stipulate that school uniform policies for the 2027/28 school year onwards must include the option for girls to wear trousers throughout the school year, including for PE and Games. The guidelines are legally binding under the School Uniforms Act which came into operation earlier this year.
The Department added that the Act is designed to help reduce the cost of school uniforms and ensure that affordability, comfort, practicality and sustainability are at the centre of school uniform policies.
Why did the minister not need Assembly approval?
Speaking on a national broadcaster's radio programme, Givan explained that he did not need to go through the Assembly to give effect to this change.
I don't need to go through the assembly to give effect to this. Today, I am taking that decision, that will be formally communicated, schools will be hearing from me, and as of the next academic year...schools will be required that this has to be available if it is requested upon.
The minister noted that the change will not apply during the 2026/27 academic year, in order to allow schools adequate time to change their uniform policies and prepare for implementation.
What is the legal basis for these changes?
The School Uniforms Act set up a wider framework for pupil rights over uniform, including trousers and activities-specific clothing. The guidelines are legally binding under this Act, which gives the Department of Education authority to issue binding guidance to schools on uniform policies.
Girls in Northern Ireland already had legal authority to challenge their schools on uniform policies under existing law, but the revised guidance makes the right to wear trousers explicit and mandatory across all schools from the specified date.
What happens next?
Schools will have until the start of the 2027/28 academic year to update their uniform policies to comply with the revised guidance. The updated guidelines must take account of the new trousers rules by 1 August 2027, giving schools a clear deadline for implementation.
Key Facts:
- From 2027/28, all Northern Ireland schools must allow girls to wear trousers if requested, including during PE and games lessons
- The change is legally binding under the School Uniforms Act, which received Royal Assent on 19 February 2026
- Schools have the 2026/27 academic year to update their uniform policies before the new requirement takes effect
- The revised guidance aims to reduce uniform costs and prioritise affordability, comfort, practicality and sustainability
- The policy applies to all grant-aided and independent primary and post-primary schools in Northern Ireland
