She said: “We went out to the field and we were told it was over, so we got them all into the dining hall and spent an hour listening to what they had to say. We then dismissed them to go back to their lessons, but some children were taking advantage and the ringleaders were stirring it up.
“ I have issued warnings that, if skirt lengths aren’t adhered to, there will be a move towards trousers for everyone.
“I recommended to governors a change of trousers for everyone because the skirts are too short and in a mixed comprehensive it is not appropriate for the business of learning.
“We communicated this back to the students and the issue is that they don’t want to wear trousers.”
She said students’ concerns that some face having to spend money for new clothes for just one year of schooling was valid, but added: “Skirt lengths have to be right by September or trousers will be brought in.
“Unfortunately, the action today has been hijacked by a few boys who really don’t have any issues.”
And she stressed that families of students struggling to meet the cost of school uniform could fill in an application form to see if they were eligible to possibly receive a clothing grant.