PUPILS are upset that they are being told to remove their coats at the school gate.

Coats have to be swapped for the mandatory school blazer before entering Varndean School in Brighton, according to pupils.

One Year 11 student contacted The Argus and said: “We had a strict change in the wearing of jumpers in corridors a couple of years ago when a few new teachers were introduced.

“Since then they have been strict on where and when you can wear 'outdoor clothing'.

“It is understandable that we aren't allowed to wear coats and jumpers during lessons and we've got used to the fact we aren't allowed to wear them in the corridors - even at break or lunch - however recently when a couple more new teachers arrived we now have to put our blazers on before we enter the school gate.

“I have to stand at the gate in the morning in the freezing cold, put all of my things on the floor and get changed, along with many other students.

“It's unfair and wastes time, the teachers that operate the gate stand there in coats while children change into blazers, it's not right.”

The Argus did ask the student why pupils did not wear their blazers under their coats, but got no reply.

A spokeswoman for the Balfour Road school said: “At Varndean School we believe it is common sense to remove coats indoors.

“Students get most benefit from wearing coats outside and removing them in the warm buildings.”

The news comes the same week as Cardinal Newman school in Hove's ban on coats indoors and students have more gripes about the school – this time about pens.

Teachers are asking students to write in black ink as opposed to blue to fall in line with exam board regulations, but a Year 11 student is far from happy.

The pupil, who asked not to be named, said: “I, and many of my fellow students, think it is ridiculous to assume the colour of the ink changes the meaning of our writing.

“To paraphrase Martin Luther King 'we wish to be judged not on the colour of our ink but on the contents of our writing'."

A school spokeswoman rubbished claims blue ink was prohibited and said: “There is certainly not a "ban" on blue pens. However, we recommend that students use black pens as it is required in public examinations.

“We aim for all of our students to have a high quality of presentation of work so that they are "exam ready" in the future.

“This is about promoting good learning habits.”