Schoolboys who were banned from wearing shorts during heatwave turn up in SKIRTS to protest against 'outdated uniform policy'
- Adrian Copp, 15, led a dozen Year 10 pupils to wear skirts instead of trousers
- Pupils of Poltair School in Cornwall were protesting 'outdated uniform policy'
- Despite temperatures soaring above 30C this week pupils cannot wear shorts A group of teenage boys who were banned from wearing shorts during the heatwave have staged a protest by turning up in skirts instead.
Adrian Copp, 15, led a dozen of his fellow Year 10 pupils at Poltair School in St Austell, Cornwall to make a stand against the school's 'outdated uniform policy' by wearing £8 Asda skirts to class.
Despite temperatures soaring above 30C this week, the secondary school's rules don't allow pupils to wear shorts, however do allow pupils of any gender to wear skirts.
Both Adrian and his two friends, Connor Humphries and Scott Penman, plan to continue wearing the pleated skirts for the rest of the week and say they want both boys and girls to have the option of wearing shorts.
Year 10 pupils (L-R) Connor Humphries, Adrian Copp and Scott Penman were banned from wearing shorts during the heatwave and protested by going to school in skirts instead
'I found it a lot cooler definitely. It's really uncomfortable wearing trousers in this heat,' said Adrian.
'It was a mixed bag. Some teachers thought we were messing about. But there were others who cheered us on. There were a group of Year 8 boys who were clapping and cheering us.
'We were removed from classes and banned for socialisation for 24 hours but we were let go because they couldn't find anything to pin us on. We haven't broken any rules.
'We just want everyone to have the option to wear shorts in this heat and that goes for the girls too.'
Adrian, 15, plans to continue wearing the pleated skirts for the rest of the week and wants both boys and girls to have the option of wearing shorts
The secondary school's uniform guide reads: 'Students must wear plain black tailored trousers made of standard material that sit at the waist and shoe line.
'These must be of a style that is complementary of a blazer. Skirts must be pleated and sit no higher than a credit cards width above the knee.'
Mum-of-four Donna is in agreement with her son and claims the argument to have shorts and skirts has been going on for several years.
She added: 'When he went to primary school he would wear shorts no problem. But for some reason it hasn't been allowed in secondary schools.
Poltair School in St Austell, Cornwall, (pictured) say students must wear plain black tailored trousers or pleated skirts
'It's been an ongoing battle for a few years. When Adrian came up with the idea at the weekend he had my full backing.
'There's no specified gender on the uniform policy and we wanted to play by the rules.
'Ideally it would be to open it up for girls to wear shorts too. Some girls aren't comfortable about wearing skirts so this is about all students.
'A few of the other boys had bottled it but Adrian kept it going. I'm so proud Adrian has the guts to take a stand.'
Poltair School has been contacted for comment.
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