A HEADTEACHER who is banning girls wearing skirts to school has been hailed a hero by child abuse campaigners. It is the latest development in a flood of worldwide support into Kesgrave High School's ban on school skirts.

A HEADTEACHER who is banning girls wearing skirts to school has been hailed a hero by child abuse campaigners.

It is the latest development in a flood of worldwide support into Kesgrave High School's ban on school skirts.

Headteacher George Thomas said today that parents and governors from other schools have been sending messages of support for what they see as a courageous stance.

And a child protection group called Phoenix have send they are one million times behind Mr Thomas for his actions.

The news of the ban, featured in the Evening Star on Saturday has since spread worldwide with newspapers, TV and radio featuring the decision which is the first of its kind in the country.

Pupils who are in the middle of taking their GCSE and A-Level exams have found themselves in the centre of something of a media scrum which the school is doing its best to protect them from.

But while some parents are angry about the ban and the issue of human rights has come into question, Mr Thomas said that many have been supportive.

He said: "The main response has been positive, although there is the odd one or two that have not been.

"We are overall very pleased with the response we have had."

On the Phoenix website today, a voluntary support group set up for people who have suffered child abuse, a statement applauded Mr Thomas's actions saying that they were "one million per cent" him.

Shy Keenan who helped set up the Phoenix website said that schools were not about fashion.

She said: "As far as we are concerned you go to school for an education.

"It should not be about fashion or personal preference.

"It should be about going to a public place in a safe way."

Ms Keenan added that the group would encourage other schools to follow suit.

She said: "We are going to do whatever we can to push this - we think it's a marvellous idea."

Mr Thomas's name has been placed on the Heroes board on the website.

A statement on the site said: "Mr Thomas's name will be placed on our Heroes board, because despite the difficulties he is putting children's safety first and deserves our and the nations support."

What do you think of the ban and the international furore it has caused? Write to us at Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or visit our website forum on www.eveningstar.co.uk.