British schoolgirls are already prone to sexist bullying among pupils, so it's particularly depressing when a school itself is the instigator of casual sexism and gender inequality. Yet it seems to be happening every other week.

If schoolgirls' skirts aren't being 'distracting', or parents are being forced to pay more for girls' trousers, it's headteachers justifying uniform politics by labelling female pupils "hefty".

Now, a school has been forced to apologise and call off a "bikini body" fitness class for pupils as young as 11, after complaints from concerned parents.

A mother whose 11-year-old daughter is due to start at The Ripley Academy in Derbyshire in September, told the Derbyshire Times she was "appalled" when she learnt of the after-school classes.

Sarah Reeves, 42, says: “I’m all for kids enjoying and getting into fitness but enough of the sexualisation.”

“Yes, it’s important to promote health and fitness but it needs to be done in the right way. Putting extra pressure on our girls is not setting the right example.”

School comes under fire for promoting “bikini body” fitness classes to girls as young as 11