THE parent teacher association at Bishop Heber High School in Malpas has challenged a ban on pupils from wearing their winter coats.

Angry students at the top Cheshire secondary last week refused to attend afternoon classes following the introduction of a strict uniform policy.

Scores of students refused to return to lessons after lunch on Wednesday and claim the new ruling, which allows them to wear only regulation fleeces, is a money-making ploy.

Over the weekend, the matter came to the attention of the school's parent teacher association (PTA).

While it supports a tougher uniform policy, PTA chairman and parent Janet Howarth says children should be allowed to wear their coats during break or lunchtime if they are cold.

Like most of the 120 pupils who took part in the protest, Mrs Howarth is concerned the new £15 fleeces are not waterproof.

Acting head David Curry says pupils have not been allowed to wear coats in school for years, but admits the ban has not been enforced in the past.

But that changed in September and pupils could now find themselves in trouble if they wear their coats during break or lunchtime.

If a pupil arrives at school wearing a coat, they are expected to keep it in a locker, leave it on a rack or keep it in a bag. The school is encouraging pupils to buy school fleeces.

However, students say the fleeces are simply not warm enough, not waterproof and say the venture is a money-making idea.

'It's right to have a uniform policy but I have doubts,' said Mrs Howarth, whose son and daughter attend the Heber.

'The school is such a large site and there are a lot of pupils on the move across the school site in-between lessons.

'I believe children should be allowed to wear their coats during break or lunchtime if they are cold, but not inside the school.'

Mrs Howarth, who lives in Whitchurch, is concerned that Heber pupils had to take part in a protest to make their views known.

She said: 'This may have arisen as pupils may feel they have not got a say through their student council or they feel it is ineffective. There is no point in having these student councils if they are not effective.'

Mrs Howarth, who discussed the Heber's uniform policy at a PTA meeting on Wednesday, says her group may now challenge the school's policy if parents support such a move.

'If there are similar minded people to me, and there was enough ground swell of opinion, then we could put views to the school governors,' she said.

'Mr Curry is in a difficult position at the moment and I can understand why he is sticking by his guns. But I do feel the issue of children getting wet, while wearing these fleeces, needs to be addressed.'

Mr Curry was forced to rush back from a crucial county council finance meeting to confront his striking students.

The protest began at 1.15pm when students sat down in the playground and refused to return for registration.

Despite the strike, Mr Curry says the school will not change its new policy which, he says, came about as a result of a parental survey.

He says the majority wished to see the traditional blazer replaced with a fleece, a move which he says was supported by 80% of pupils.

He says students can wear an undergarment if they wish, underneath a polo shirt, jumper, blazer or fleece.