Pupils protest on short skirt ban

Secondary pupils at a Chester school have staged a protest against a proposed ban on short skirts.

The head teacher at Upton-by-Chester High School decided on a change to the dress code after the skirts were deemed "too revealing."

About 100 pupils took part in the protest against the recommendation that girls should wear trousers from the new term in September.

They boycotted the first lesson and sat on the school's playing fields.

The protest was organised though an internet social networking site.

One member of staff has said to me that he averts his gaze while walking up stairs Jane Holland Head teacher

Teachers and head teacher Jane Holland spoke to the youngsters and noted their views, which will be forwarded to school governors.

However, she 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."

Since October last year, letters have been sent to parents regarding the length of skirts and asking for girls to wear black tights as an "interim measure", Mrs Holland added.

The board of governors will meet on 2 July to discuss uniform.

A parent, who did not want to be named and whose 14-year-old daughter is at 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."