Croydon pupils win right to wear trousers after 140 years

A school has bowed to demands from students and lifted a 140-year ban on girls wearing trousers.

St Mary's Catholic High School in West Croydon has relaxed its skirts-only policy by allowing them to wear trousers in winter.

Seraphina Beh, 15, who has been fighting to ditch skirts since 2008, when she joined the student council, said: "I am proud that we have won this battle for generations of schoolgirls in the future."

Headteacher Ejiro Ughwujabo, who referred the matter to the board of governors, said female pupils had been asking to wear trousers "for decades".

After the rules were changed on Monday last week, about half of the 400 female pupils switched to trousers straight away, although local shops quickly sold out.

Seraphina said the main reason behind the demand was the cold weather. But she added: "To be honest, the boys were giving us a lot of grief."

Mr Ughwujabo said: "The students have changed a time-old tradition through perseverance, heart and determination. I admire them for that."