Action for Parents - End Sexism in Schools

End Sexism in Schools is a grassroots charity working for a UK education system that is free of sexism and that allows all children to fulfil their potential

Our focus is on systemic change at a government level, with the exam regulators, with exam boards and with publishers.

As a small, volunteer-led charity, we do not have the capacity, or the legal expertise to advise on individual parent concerns.

Action for parents wishing to address sexism in their child's school - image of 4 girlfriends

Action for Parents Addressing Sexism in Schools

If parents have issues with sexism in their child’s school, we would suggest they consider steps such as:

Ask the school to provide the policy relating to the issue of concern. Familiarise yourself with the relevant and identify areas where the school may be going against policy.
Attempt to resolve concerns informally by requesting meetings with the relevant staff in school. Share details of your concern, with evidence, being clear about the resolution you are seeking.
If the school is not able to resolve your concern informally, request the school’s complaints procedure. Familiarise yourself with the policy and follow the steps detailed within the policy. 

Most school complaints policies will have several stages to resolve complaints informally and formally.  If informal requests for change do not result in the desired change, move to the school’s formal process.  Usually, a formal process involves the school investigating your complaint.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, most school policies will have an option to appeal to governors. Ensure you follow all steps of the policy.
If the complaints procedure does not lead to satisfactory resolution, consider logging your concerns with your local MP.

Action Resources

The following sources may be of use to parents when researching sexism in schools

OFSTED Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges

In 2021, OFSTED published a report following on from the Everyone’s Invited campaign which raised awareness of the levels sexual abuse in schools. The report details the scale and nature of sexual abuse in schools and how schools currently safeguard against and respond to sexual abuse, alongside providing recommendations to schools.

OFSTED Review

The Women and Equalities Committee Publications

The Women and Equalities Committee examines the work of the Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO). It holds the Government to account on equality law and policy, including the Equality Act 2010 and cross-Government activity on equalities.

It also scrutinises the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The committee has published numerous reports relating to girls and schools.

View Publications

National Education Union /UK Feminista Report – ‘It’s Just Everywhere.’

This report investigated sexism in schools and suggests actions to help tackle it.

Download

Girlguiding – Girls’ Attitudes Survey

Since 2009, Girlguiding has given girls and young women a platform to speak out on the issues that matter to them through the Girls’ Attitudes Survey.

The research asks girls and young women how they feel about their everyday lives. In 2025, they surveyed 2500 girls and young women aged 7-21, representative of girls across the UK, about the challenges they face as a girl today.

View Survey

North Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre “Roll Down Your Skirt” Report

This report examined whether girls were having their school uniforms ‘policed’ in a sexist and sexualised manner.

Their Young Women’s Steering Group gathered the experiences of young people across the North East, through interviews and a survey.

Read the Report

We wish you well in your individual endeavours to end sexism in schools.

If you would like to support us in ending sexism at the systemic level, please do subscribe to our newsletter.