YOUNGSTERS at Dorcan Technology College boycotted lessons and chanted in protest at plans to introduce a new school uniform.

In an unprecedented scene, a mob of about 200 Year 10 students gathered on the front lawn of the 1,277-pupil college for 11-16-year-olds, in St Paul's Drive, Covingham, as staff struggled to maintain order.

The catalyst for the strike, which resembled a scene from BBC children's drama Grange Hill, was a proposal to change the college's current uniform of v-neck sweater, shirt and tie to a polo shirt with a logo on the sleeve and a round neck sweat shirt with a small logo on the front.

Deputy headteacher, Dr Scott Sissons, who is due to take over as head of the school in September when the new uniform will be introduced, met three representatives from tutor groups in his office while the protests continued outside the school building.

The trio explained that the proposals were broadly unpopular, especially among the year 10 pupils, because it would mean buying a new uniform that would only get two terms of wear out of before they leave in 2003.

And the youngsters also claimed that the design of the clothes was unpopular among their classmates.

Pupil Keleigh Price, 15, a tutor group representative, 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."

And Mark Burtenshaw, 15, who is also a tutor group representative, said: "The school kids all feel strongly about this. They have said that they will carry on protesting until they have the chance to have their voiced heard."

Following a crackdown on uniform compliance in Nov-ember, school council members, who are supposed to represent the view of fellow pupils, had called for a new uniform that was both smart and practical.

And their ideas were narrowed down into three options and suppliers, Brunel Centre-based National School Wear Centre, were invited to present their final designs.

But the pupils, it seems, were unhappy with the final design and felt their views had not been accurately represented.

Dr Sissons said: "There appears to have been a breakdown in communications.

"We will ask all the students to go back to their form rooms and appoint a new group of student representatives who they are happy will represent their views.

"I will not speak to a mob, but I am quite happy to discuss this with representatives of the pupils.

"We want the students to have a uniform that they are all happy to wear so that we can get on with the business of learning which is the reason we are all here."

Dr Sissons and chair of governors, Alexa Donachy, were due to meet the student's representatives at 8.45 this morning to discuss the way for- ward.

A spokesman for National School Wear Centre declined to comment.