School head defends rule over length of skirts

Acting head teacher Alun Ebenezer denied teachers had clipped pupils’ nails or checked the length of skirts with a tape measure

A school head teacher has defended his policy on the length of skirts following criticism from parents.

Pupils at Caldicot School in Monmouthshire have said a number of girls were sent home.

Acting head Alun Ebenezer told The Phone In on BBC Radio Wales: “I haven’t introduced anything new, all I’ve done is reinforce what should already be in place."

Mr Ebenezer said while some people "found it difficult" and "reacted strongly against it", the majority "feel happier and safer."

Some pupils say they have had their skirt length measured, with one parent claiming up to 200 pupils were denied entry to class.

Girls have also been handed face wipes to remove make-up and clippers to cut nails, it is claimed. One 14-year-old said she was ordered to have her skirt measured by a male teacher.

When asked whether teachers were checking the lengths of skirts with tape measures, Mr Ebenezer denied this was the case. He also denied teachers had clipped pupils’ nails.

Mr Ebenezer, a teacher for 27 years, has spent the past two and a half years working with schools to advise on leadership and culture.

He is working as the acting head at the school until Christmas.

Mr Ebenezer said about 50 pupils out of 1,300 were asked to address their appearance because they had failed to wear appropriate uniform, and most were happy to comply.

“I’ve never been at a good school with a bad uniform,” he told presenter Jason Mohammad.

“I think little things matter. Things like manners, appearance, posture, how we conduct ourselves. I think all of those things are important.

“I can already see, in 48 hours, the positive impact this has had.

"I’ve seen social media and news coverage and the comments have been overwhelmingly positive,” he added.