Pupils at a secondary school in Wiltshire staged a protest over plans to do away with their traditional uniform.

Up to 200 students at Dorcan Technology College in Swindon put on a sit-in demonstration, angry at having to swap their traditional tie and shirt for polo shirts and sweatshirts.

We are happy to wear a shirt and tie and proper shoes

Keleigh Price, pupil

Pupils at the school were consulted over the proposed changes, which come into effect next term, but school representatives claim they were not properly consulted over the final uniform design.

Keleigh Price, 15, one of those demonstrating on Thursday, said: "Most of the students feel that their views have not been represented by members of the staff council."

"The new uniform design is not very popular. We are happy to wear a shirt and tie and proper shoes," she said.

Compromise

The pupils who staged the protest - mostly Year 10 students, aged 15 - said they would have to pay out for a new uniform which they would only wear for a year.

There was a very small group of vociferous students, it was not the whole school year

Dr Scott Sissons, deputy head

But, following a meeting with deputy head teacher Dr Scott Sissons, students are now being given the option to wear the old uniform for the last time next school year.

Dr Sissons said many students had originally called for their old school tie and collar to be scrapped.

The protest was partly due to a break-down in communication, and partly to teenagers being teenagers, he said.

"It is partly fickleness, very hot weather and the end of term.

"There was a very small group of vociferous students, it was not the whole school year. I said I was not prepared to talk to a mob but was happy to deal with proper representatives.

"The crux of the problem was really poor communication," he said.