Headteacher Kathy Stonier has backed one of her pupils in his fight to wear a skirt in class.

The Ringmer Community College principal agreed to let student Ed Ellson pass round a petition on the subject and even signed it herself.

Ms Stonier said the move did not mean she had changed her mind on the subject.

She made the 15-year-old sit in isolation to do his maths GCSE exam while wearing a skirt earlier this week.

Ms Stonier said: "I looked at the petition on Wednesday and said he could pass it around. Then I put my name to it to say I agreed with equal opportunities. That doesn't mean I necessarily agree with a change in uniform, just that the issue should be looked at."

The petition, which has been signed by more than 100 people, states the school should do more for equal opportunities for both sexes. While it does not specifically mention boys being allowed to wear skirts, one of Ed's main arguments hinges on the Sex Discrimination Act, which states schools should ensure their uniform policy does not discriminate on the grounds of gender.

Ed, of Ringmer, near Lewes, aims to send the petition to the school governors.

His father Graham, who lives in Brighton, said: "I support my son. I think he's very brave. I'm proud of him - he's taken some action that has brought about a result."

Ms Stonier said Ed had agreed to wear trousers at school while the issue was being sorted out.