Anger at school ban on short skirts

Around 100 youngsters at Upton-by-Chester High School, Chester, held the action after the clampdown on dress code and a recommendation by the headteacher that trousers should be worn by all girls from September.

Youngsters at the 1,700-pupil school boycotted the first morning lesson on Tuesday and staged the demonstration sitting on school playing fields after organising it on the social network site Facebook.

Teachers and headteacher Jane Holland spoke to the youngsters and noted their views on the recommendation to introduce trousers, which will be forwarded to school governors next month.

Mrs Holland said: "Since half-term the skirts have got ridiculously short. The skirts are too revealing especially on staircases. It's not appropriate for the time and the place.

"One member of staff has said to me that he averts his gaze while walking up stairs. I don't think people feel comfortable in that situation. We promote the student voice and communication between the school, parents and staff.

"If the skirt lengths are correct, that is knee-length, then that would influence my recommendation to the governors. I've always said I would like to avert the decision to introduce trousers as girls look smart in skirts."

Mrs Holland said so many girls flouted the rule that individual approaches regarding skirt length were not appropriate. Since October last year, letters have been sent to parents regarding the length of skirts and asking for girls to wear plain, black tights as an interim measure, Mrs Holland added.

A spokesman for Cheshire West and Chester Council, which controls the local education authority, said: "Dress code and discipline are the responsibility of the headteacher and the board of governors. In this case we would support the headteacher in her concerns with regard to inappropriate dress and actions taken relating to this issue."

A parent, who wished not to be named and whose 14-year-old daughter attends the school, said: "It is a good school. But a school should be as focused on teaching and learning as it is on dress code. However, they have a point as the lengths of skirts have got shorter, especially in the last year. Some girls do have confidence crises at this time and forcing all girls to wear trousers could have a detrimental effect."