When a group of boys was excluded from school for wearing PE shorts to class on one of the hottest days of the year, they took matters into their own hands.

The boys were excluded from Longhill High School in Brighton for turning up in their school-branded sports shorts, despite the 33-degree heat.

They were sent to isolation and made to go home and change.

But rather than giving in and wearing their long trousers, the boys took matters into their own hands, and used a gender-neutral uniform policy to cool off.

The group of teenage boys, Michael Parker, Kodi Ailing, George Boyland and Jesse Stringer, all 14, turned up the next day in skirts, which are an approved part of the uniform for any student.

Speaking to the Metro, Parker’s mother Angela said: “On Tuesday, the hottest day of the year so far, several of the boys went into school in regulation PS shorts with a school logo on.

“They were all told to go home and put trousers on and told they are not allowed to wear shorts, even though girls are allowed to wear short skirts with bare legs and stay cool.”

She added: “It’s discriminatory against boys why should they be punished? The school doesn’t let them have a drink of water during class and the rooms aren’t air conditioned. It’s quite hypocritical as well as all the male teachers were wearing shorts and t-shirts.”

A leading private school in the UK earlier this year made a change to its uniform policy in order to make trans students feel more welcome, by making its uniform gender neutral.

Last year in Puerto Rico it was announced that nationwide, any student would be allowed to wear a skirt to school.

Boarding Schools in the UK were last week given new guidance on how to address transgender pupils.