A teenage pupil defied a 'drag ban' at his school to stun his friends and teachers with a performance of 'I Will Survive' while wearing a floor-length red dress and towering heels.

Philipp Penning and his Year 11 classmates were planning their leavers' assembly when a teacher suggested he could be inspired by his role of Edna in Hairspray for his part.

But the 16-year-old said he was told not to wear full drag for his last day at Telford's Charlton School when he would be taking to stage for the assembly.

Philipp Penning, above left in drag for the performance, and right in his usual school attire, defied the ban with the help of his friends and a petition

His furious friends started a petition on Facebook and with more than 250 supporters, the school ended up reversing their decision banning him from wearing drag.

But the school's headteacher has said he was always happy for the teen to wear a dress, as long as it fit the overall code for the day.

Philipp told the Birmingham Mail: 'The teacher who was helping us [with the assembly] was very impressed by the performance [as Edna] and suggested I did something related to that. I thought this was a brilliant idea.

'However, when I spoke to the other teachers about wearing a dress for the Leavers' Assembly and possibly even wearing drag, they said they needed to think about it.'

Philipp struts into the leavers' assembly to cheering crowds as he prepares to perform to 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor

He added: 'That same day I was stopped before I left the building and was told I couldn't.'

Philipp had also had huge support from friends after launching a petition to overturn his ban.

Philipp was met by cheering crowds as he stunned friends and teachers. The 16-year-old had been told he could wear a dress but that his outfit needed to fit the day's code

However he and his friends fought back and battled for him to be allowed to wear full drag to perform on his last day

A Facebook group and website, 'Justice for Philipp', was also set up.

Less than 24 hours later he presented staff with 283 signatures of support - and they were forced to overturn the ban.

A post on the website read: 'Philipp was told he was not allowed to wear a dress to school because it was "informal" and "unrespectable".

'The student body set up a petition that received over 250 signatures from the other students.

'They took this to the principal who changed his mind.

'On Friday, May 12, Philipp wore the dress and looked fabulous doing it.'

Philipp added: 'I was very nervous before the show. My friends calmed me down and helped me come up with the start of the routine, everything else was improvised.

'Everyone was really positive afterwards. They were all so proud of me and I can't be more thankful.

'My fellow pupils were beyond supportive - every single one of them stood behind me and even set up a Facebook page.

'A few even came with me to argue my case to the teacher.

'I owe everything to the students of Charlton School.'

His mother Michelle said she was 'very proud' of her young man and pleased he was confident to express himself

Although he is planning to pursue a career in geography, the creative teen has not ruled out a sideline in drag

The teenager continued: 'The most supportive person of all was my mother. She has always had my back and even helped me with my make up in the morning.'

Mum Michelle spoke of her 'amazement' that so many young people had supported Philipp.

'I am so very proud of my child and support him every step of the way,' she said.

'I am completely amazed that so many young people have come together to support a fellow student.

'Slowly but surely we are becoming more accepting, tolerant and free to be who we want to be.

'I am very proud of my young man and happy that he has the confidence to express himself.'

Philipp is now hoping to study for a career in geography.

'I might try a bit of drag on the side, though,' he said.

Andy McNaughton, principal of Charlton School, said: 'The dress code for Leavers' Day on Friday was that pupils should wear smart clothes but non-uniform.

'The pupil in question approached staff earlier in the week asking if he could wear drag. He was told it was fine to come into school wearing a dress but that we did not want him to wear full drag, as that wouldn't have been consistent with the aims of the day.

'It appears that advice has been misinterpreted resulting in the petition. However there was no need for this as we had already told him a dress was acceptable.

'In the event, what the pupil wore was in keeping with the aims of the day, which was a huge success. All our pupils looked very smart.'