Girls and boys both wearing the trousers

Ancient dress code has been relaxed. Photo: OurHistory

St. Mary's ancient dress code has been updated. Photo: TheirHistory

A school in West Croydon has finally taken the decision to allow its female pupils to wear trousers rather than skirts, after “decades” of protest.The governors of St Mary’s Catholic High School are allowing the girls to wear trousers in winter only.

The group of pupils responsible for the campaign was fronted by student council member Seraphina Beh, 15. She said: “I am proud that we have won this battle for generations of school girls in the future.”

Seraphina said that the main reason behind the campaign was because of the cold weather, but added: “the boys were giving us a lot of grief.”

Headteacher Ejiro Ughwujabo, who had referred the matter to the board of governors, praised the pupils’ hard work. “The students have changed a time-old tradition through perseverance, heart and determination. I admire them for that”.

Even though the rules were only changed on Monday last week, most of the shops in the area have now sold out of school trousers, with half of the 400 female students, opting for the new alternative.

The school is one of the longest established in Croydon, originally founded over 140 years ago. The school website describes St Mary’s as “maintaining firm, but fair discipline”.

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