Miniskirts worn by some girls at Devizes School, which brought complaints from staff and the public, have led to a clampdown by headteacher Malcolm Irons.

From the start of this term girls who choose to wear a skirt must all have the same style from one stockist.

Mr Irons said: “It has actually gone much more smoothly than I was expecting. We have only had a couple of students who have not had the correct skirt.

“We decided to bring in the change as the situation had got a bit silly and we had quite a few complaints from students as well as staff. Some girls were wearing very tight, short skirts that rode up as they walked and seemed to even embarrass them as they were constantly pulling them down.”

The new compulsory black skirt, called a Charleston available only from Scholars, is a more traditional style with box pleats and has to be knee length.

Black trousers are also permitted and can come from any stockists but must be black tailored and not hipsters, low rise or skinny. Leggings are not allowed.

Boys must also wear tailored black trousers and jeans and combat-style trousers are forbidden.

Mr Irons said since the school introduced blazers worn with shirts and ties by both male and female students, far more girls had opted for skirts.

He said: “A few years ago nearly all the girls wore trousers but now the vast majority wear skirts. We are very pleased with the way the new uniform has gone down and think all the students look much smarter.”