Parents brand school's new £45 tartan skirt uniform discriminatory as it is double the price of the old one - and boys' trousers can be bought anywhere for a fraction of the cost

Raging parents have today accused a school of discrimination for enforcing a new uniform policy which means they will have to fork out £45 for a 'hideous' tartan skirt. 

Priestlands School, in Pennington, Hampshire, has issued strict new guidelines telling parents the skirt can only be purchased from one particular outlet.

Children must have the new garb, which is twice the price of its predecessor, fitted in person 'to ensure it's knee length', sparking outrage among parents who have threatened a boycott and said it is an example of the 'pink tax'. 

Parents say the new policy is 'morally wrong' as 'women have to pay more' in comparison to boys - who can buy school trousers from any supplier - and comes at a time when people are struggling financially. 

The skirt has even incensed the town's mayor who has written a letter urging the school to reverse the decision. 

Head teacher Peter Main has defended the new skirt saying 'as with any change it is hard to please everyone'. 

Does YOUR child's school have strict uniform policies? Email matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk 

The school's previous logo embossed plain pleated skirt cost from £21.99. It will be replaced from September with a 'Priestlands tartan' skirt with the school saying it had responded to feedback from parents, students and staff. 

The new rules will affect the 603 girls that attend the mixed-sex school, which has 1,245 pupils.  

One parent of a year eight girl, who wishes to remain anonymous, branded the new policy 'absolutely disgusting'.

The 36-year-old stay-at-home mother said: 'I think it absolutely discriminates against girls because I don't see how you can say the boys can go anywhere but the girls have to go and get measured.

'I feel like they are trying to force the girls into wearing trousers which they don't want to do.

'I know my daughter, she's not going to want to wear trousers and I don't feel it's right to dictate what she wears.'

The mother said she thinks the 'pink tax has struck again' in regards to the updated uniform.

She added: 'Woman having to pay more... it's disgusting. I just can't believe it.

'It's things like women having to pay for tampons and hygiene. And the fact that we have to pay extortionate amounts for our hair to be done.

'It shouldn't cost us more to be women and that's what I feel like they are doing.

'This is a prime example that I could go to Primark or Aldi and buy my son a pair of trousers, but for my daughter, I am forced to pay £45.

'It is just wrong on every level, it shouldn't cost us more for our children to go to school.'

The mother said the school skirt 'already cost quite a lot' and 'has always been astronomical' and said the school has likely been 'inundated' with complaints.

She added: 'I have asked them what the consequence will be if my daughter turns up in her old uniform... just to see.

'Everyone was of the same view, that this is discrimination.'

Another parent - who wished to remain anonymous - described the school skirt policy as 'morally wrong'.

The 46-year-old said: 'It's just a tone deaf action by people who don't have children at the school.

'The school told me it's all to do with having robust clothing that is good with the school colours.

'There's nothing in the history of this school that has a "school tartan". Where has this come from is my question?'

The parent also claimed it is 'simple profiling' and 'suggests discrimination is taking place' because girls tend to wear skirts.

The new tartan skirt can only be bought from one uniform supplier, PMG, some four miles away from the school.

After the uniform update, parents voiced their anger online.

Lisa Hale wrote: 'I personally feel this is unfair to parents with daughters as our pockets are going to be hit the hardest. Discrimination comes to mind.'

Another parent, Sian Locke, described the skirt as 'hideous and extremely overpriced'. 

'There's no way my daughter will wear that and I don't blame her,' she said.

Others labelled the price of the school's new skirt 'disgusting' in a time when some families were 'struggling to put food on the table'. 

But, some parents approved of the decision - as it's a way of overcoming 'the short skirts syndrome'.

One social media user, Penny Jackman, said: 'Yes it's expensive for what is no doubt horrible polyester and be a nightmare to iron the pleats back in, but honestly I was a bit taken aback by the indecently short skirts the Priestlands girls were wearing yesterday when I was at one stop.

'Barely covering their bum cheeks. I just hope they had big granny knickers on beneath but somehow I doubt it.'

The town's mayor Councillor Jack Davies has written a scathing letter to the school's head teacher urging him to reverse the decision which has left him 'shocked'.   

'What is even worse by my reckoning is that parents don't have a choice,' he said. 

'If a child wants to wear a skirt, and they will, then they have to fork out for this particular skirt. 

'200 children at Priestlands are eligible for free school meals. I worry about how this decision will impact upon some of the most vulnerable children and their families in our area. 

'During a cost of living crisis, I would expect any school to make uniform as cheap and accessible as possible.' 

In response to the criticism, head teacher Mr Main said: 'After parents and students responded to a survey criticising the appearance, quality and design of the school skirt we have introduced a new one.

'We researched supply options and found a British company that could provide all necessary sizes of the knee-length checked skirt.

'Many parents have been in touch to say how much they like it and what an improvement it is. We are also aware that some parents have criticised it.

'Understanding that cost is an issue for some families, we introduced the skirt with a 50 per cent discount for all Year 11 students and a 20 per cent discount for the other years.

'We also offer support for families where finance is a barrier to purchasing uniforms.

'All students are still able to wear trousers or shorts which comply with our requirements.'

Does YOUR child's school have strict uniform policies? Email matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk