The Central Girls School in Oxford had a strict disciplinary code, which even stretched to sun- bathing.

The girls pictured in 1959 would spend their lunchtimes soaking up the sun, but the practice was soon stopped — on the orders of the headmistress.

Former pupil Jackie Melson, who took the photograph, explains: "The fourth-year toilets were primitive affairs on the roof of the building.

"Here, in the summer, we spent many happy lunch hours, sitting on the floor sun bathing, skirts pulled up as far as we dared, without exposing our navy blue 'interlocks'.

"This harmless pastime, however, came to an abrupt end when our headmistress walked in and caught us.

"She said it was an unhygienic and disgusting place to sit, and banned us from doing it again."

As we have recalled, these weren't the only rules at the school, in New Inn Hall Street, now part of St Peter's College.

Girls were forbidden to be seen with a boy while in uniform or to scribble love letters during class.

Hair, if long, had to be worn in pigtails and tied back in the nape of the neck.

Walking diagonally across the main hall was banned — girls always had to follow the walls.

Despite the strict regime, many girls have fond memories of the school.

Mrs Melson, of Westbury Crescent, Oxford, whose maiden name was Bebbington, writes: "We loved and were proud of our school, working hard at lessons, but still having lots of fun.

"Every time I walk past the building, memories flood back and it would be great to see inside it again. Perhaps one day, I shall just walk in and ask if I may."

The school's roots go back to 1797 when the Rev James Hinton, of New Road Baptist Church, founded four Sunday and day schools in different parts of Oxford, one of which was destined to become the girls' school.

By 1812, the four schools had become one mixed school of 50 boys and 50 girls, known as the United Charity and Sunday Schools, based in Gloucester Green.

A new school was built in Pensons Gardens, St Ebbe's. It ceased to cater for boys, except on Sundays, in 1835.

It later became known as the Oxford Girls' British School, designed to train children to develop into "intelligent and affectionate daughters, sister, wives and mothers and honest, true-hearted, pious and reverent servants of God".

In 1882 the school moved to larger premises in New Inn Hall Street. It survived until 1959 when it moved to Gipsy Lane, Headington, and became Cheney Girls' Grammar School.

The new name did not go down well.

A petition signed by 500 old girls called on the city council to name the school Chadwick Grammar School, after Louise Chadwick, headmistress for 36 years, but to no avail.

 Any more memories of the Central Girls' School? And where are the girls pictured now?