Parents are outraged after a headteacher banned pupils from wearing skirts to school because he says some are wearing them "inappropriately" short.
St Martin's School in Caerphilly, Wales, sent out an email claiming that members of the public had voiced concerns about "far too revealing attire" being worn by some learners.
Headteacher Lee Jarvis says skirts will now be taken out of the uniform and replaced with "tailored shorts" or trousers for all pupils when they return next term.
"Over the last couple of years our school community has had concerns over the length of some learners skirts, " the email sent by Mr Jarvis to parents says.
The email, shared with WalesOnline, 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.
"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.
"We have therefore concluded that this item of clothing needs to be removed from our uniform policy from September and replaced by tailored shorts for hot weather or alternatively trousers.
"I felt it was prudent to write to let you know this in plenty of time before we all begin to consider purchasing new uniform for September. "
But some parents said the blanket ban is "ludicrous". They were annoyed that they will now have to buy trousers after spending money on the regulation black skirts for their daughters.
In his email Mr Jarvis does not refer to girls wearing skirts but parents said they were not aware of any boys wearing skirts at the school.
"I can’t believe it, absolutely ludicrous. All the parents are furious," said one parent.
Another said she had seen some pupils wearing very short skirts but said they always wore tights and teachers 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 after we've all come through Covid?"
A mother, who also didn't want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "I disagree with this. It should be addressed per child and not penalise the whole school."
Mr Jarvis said he did not want to comment further.
School uniform skirts have proved controversial in recent years.
Some schools have tackled it by introducing regulation longer skirts with badges at the base so they cannot be worn shorter.
In other schools boys have said that it is discriminatory not to allow them to wear skirts, especially in hot weather, and have come to school wearing skirts in protest.
