A SCHOOL tried to ban girls from wearing skirts after many were found to be too short - but has since backed down after parents and pupils complained.

Wye Valley School in Bourne End wrote to parents at the end of the school term, saying that girls would be required to wear trousers from September.

But after getting complaints and speaking to pupils, the secondary school agreed to compromise – and is now looking to introduce a standard skirt which cannot be pulled up.

Trevor Orchard, deputy head, said: “We were just a bit concerned. The skirts seem to be going up and up...it's the same at neighbouring schools.

“There was some comeback from parents, some were in support and some weren't. Then we had some dialogue with students and decided that skirts could be worn.

“We are actually getting a mock-up made of a potential skirt that can't be hoiked up. Then we can have all the girls wearing the same skirt with a crest.”

He said it had become increasingly difficult to manage the problem, adding: “Anything that takes you away from education takes you away from what you should be doing.”

The skirt ban has been withdrawn for the next academic year, but a compulsory school skirt is due to be introduced at some point in the next year.

The story has caught the attention of national media outlets, and headteacher Jonathan Oliver was due to appear on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about the issue.