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Pupils and parents at a Cardiff school are complaining that girls have to wear tights with skirts, despite baking temperatures.

One mum, whose daughter is a pupil at Cardiff High School, said: "All the girls have to wear tights and the boys can wear shorts.

"It's 30 degrees outside and the girls are all fed up with it."

"They said girls can wear shorts but the only shorts they have been offered are boys shorts so it's not very fair.

The mum said senior teachers were intercepting girls without tights at the school gates and putting them together.

Another woman said her niece was allegedly taken out of a mock GCSE exam and told to put on a pair of tights.

"They said it's because of modesty but I think it's really unfair," she said.

"My niece is a sensible girl and their skirts aren't short, they're modest enough.

"I think it's bad. Especially in this heat. They have to wear thick tights as well, 50 denier."

Head teacher Stephen Jones denied claims from one of the parents that girls had been told the reason for wearing tights was that boys would look up girls' skirts.

He said: "Unlike most schools, our uniform policy includes school shorts and a summer polo shirt which the children can choose to wear, so there’s no need for them to come to school in their PE kits.

“For many years we’ve agreed that girls can choose for themselves the style of skirts they wear.

"Part of that agreement was for tights to be worn with skirts. No one has said that they must wear tights because boys will look up their skirts.

“Today’s temperatures in the school are not a particular cause for concern, but while the weather is warm, the girls are free to choose to wear the school shorts and summer polo shirts included in the uniform policy.

“I, along with my colleagues, make sure we are at the school gate every morning, making sure the students arrive at school safely, and to check school uniforms.”

A spokesperson for Cardiff council added: "Uniform policies are individually set and implemented by each school.”

Parents at other schools have also criticised uniform policies during the prolonged spell of hot weather.

Some, such as Bishop of Llandaff have temporarily relaxed their uniform policy and are letting pupils wear their PE kits - which includes a polo shirt and shorts - in place of their regular outfits.

Jane James whose daughter goes to Newbridge School said she was told to collect her from school early because she had worn her PE instead of her regular uniform.

"It's absolutely ridiculous," said Ms James.

"She had been feeling unwell so I sent her to school in her PE kit with a note but she was pulled out of class.

"I had a voicemail from the school saying I had to come and pick her up because she was wearing her PE kit.

"I asked if she could wear black shorts tomorrow because she isn't a skirt kind of girl but they said no because even the boys aren't allowed to wear them.

"It's ridiculous that in 30C heat they have to wear trousers, shirts and ties.

"I think it's wrong. The receptionist had a desk fan because there isn't air con in the school.

"It's wrong that they're being taken out of lessons and sent home."

Caerphilly council have been contacted for comment.