An Ipswich secondary school has sparked controversy by banning girls from wearing skirts following problems with rising hemlines. ALEX LLOYD investigates whether York could go the same way.

SINCE time began, pupils have attempted to flout the rules governing school uniform as a way of standing out or keeping up with the latest fashions.

The latest problem to beset head teachers and governors is the trend for miniskirts, as sported by stars such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

At Kesgrave High School, near Ipswich in Suffolk, the problem had become so bad that the head has decided that all girls must wear trousers from September.

It is thought to be the first school in the country to take the drastic step.

Governors' chairman Margaret Young said they made the ruling because they did not want female students going outside with a "come hither" look, and that the hemlines were both impractical and immodest as many pupils cycled to school.

The row is the latest in a spate of high-profile challenges over school dress codes.

Last week, Shabina Begum, 15, lost her High Court battle to wear an Islamic style of dress to her Luton school.

Days earlier, a 15-year-old boy, Ed Ellson, wore a skirt to Ringmer Community College, in Lewes, East Sussex, after receiving a letter about a uniform clampdown. The pupil argued that rules which prevented girls from wearing trousers were outdated.

Last month, a school in North Wales suspended eight students following a protest against a ban on shorts.

However, York pupils seem to be less hostile to rules governing their appearance than their counterparts elsewhere.

City of York Council's assistant director of education, Jenny Vickers, said there was no hint that schools in York would resort to the same measures as Kesgrave and she was not aware of any particular problems.

"It is not that many years ago that girls were not allowed to wear trousers to school," she said. "Schools have rules about uniform, but the main priority is that pupils are smart and dressed for the curriculum on offer."

Joseph Rowntree School, at New Earswick, is one of a number of secondary schools in York which allows girls the option of wearing a skirt or trousers as part of their uniform.

Head teacher Hugh Porter said they had not suffered any problems with girls wearing inappropriate clothing and parents were very supportive of their dress code. "I have noticed that this year there are more mini skirts around," he said. "They haven't been a problem for a while."

The council's executive member for education, Coun Carol Runciman, said uniform standards must be maintained because "cleanliness, tidiness and the image of the school are important".

She said: "Our head teachers are very keen on the children wearing uniform correctly and I have seen a lot of children being reminded of that."

Updated: 09:30 Wednesday, June 23, 2004