Secondary school head bans skirts because girls were wearing uniforms that were too 'revealing'
A headteacher has banned pupils from wearing skirts after ruling some girls were in uniform that was "inappropriate short".
St Martin's School in Caerphilly, Wales, won't allow pupils to wear skirts as part of the uniform when they return next term, and pupils will instead have to wear either tailored trousers or shorts.
In an email to parents the school's headteacher Lee Jarvis said the length of some skirts worn was "inappropriate" and complaints had come from school staff, pupils and even the public.
"Over the last couple of years our school community has had concerns over the length of some learners' skirts," the email sent by Jarvis to parents says.
It goes on: ”Staff and learners are included in this and members of the public have frequently contacted the school to complain about what they regard as highly inappropriate and far too revealing attire for the workplace.
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"Despite us attempting to educate learners as to appropriate school wear and issuing school badged skirts of an appropriate length we have not been effective in ensuring that learners adhere to appropriate workplace attire.”
The head said in the email that skirts will be removed from school uniform policy from the start of the new school year in September.
Some parents have complained that the blanket ban is unfair and that they will now be forced to pay out for trousers after spending money on the regulation black skirts for their daughters.
A mother, who did not want to be named, said: "I disagree with this. It should be addressed per child and not penalise the whole school.”
Another parent said: "I can’t believe it, absolutely ludicrous."
Another said she had seen some pupils wearing very short skirts but said the school should tackle the individuals concerned rather than stop everyone wearing skirts to school.
"My daughter is not happy and doesn't want to wear tailored school trousers," she said, "I think it's unfair. Don't they have other things to worry about?"
Jarvis said he did not want to comment further.
