British school scraps uniform rules to accommodate transgender students

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Published January 20, 2016

A British independent school is scrapping nearly two centuries of tradition by eliminating its uniform code to accommodate transgender students.

Richard Cairns, the headmaster at Brighton College in Brighton, told students this week the school’s 170-year-old uniform code would be replaced with trouser and skirt uniforms for all students up to the age of 16, The Telegraph reports.

“Public schools are usually seen as bastions of conservatism but Brighton College feels it is time to break ranks,” the school said. It added that it was “reacting to a changing society which recognizes that some children have gender dysphoria and do not wish to lose their emotional gender identities at school.”

Girls at the school who identify as boys will be allowed to wear a full tweed blazer, tie and trousers, while boys who identify as girls can wear a skirt, bolero jacket and open-neck Revere blouse, The Telegraph reports.

The school says at least one student has taken up the clothing options already and parents must advise administrators of their child’s situation.

“This change follows requests from a small number of families. It ties in with my strong personal belief that youngsters should be respected for who they are,” Cairns said.

Student Amy Arnell told the newspaper, "No one was really surprised."

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