Why does it require extensive research to show that young girls are deterred from exercise by having to wear skirts or dresses (School uniforms may be barrier to physical activity among younger girls, 15 February)? Twenty-five years ago my daughter, who had just started junior school, complained that she couldn’t play properly wearing a dress. So we went to see the headmistress, who listened while my eight-year-old made her case for wearing trousers.
At the end, the head told her she was right and that the uniform policy would be changed. Result: one empowered child and a whole cohort of girls unafraid to play.
Maggie Johnston
St Albans
