Fed-up Berkeley students say stringent dress codes are barring them from lessons.

Three school girls, aged between 15 and 16, told The Royal Gazette they had been sent home several times this week as the school sought to impose illogical uniform rules.

They said one student had been sent away for having hair that was 'too black' while another, who was naturally blonde, had been barred as she switched from a dye job back to her normal colour.

While the school hands out clear dress guidelines, two of the students said they had not been around to get the booklet because they had already been spurned.

And the rules appeared to have become more stringent since last year.

One girl said: "Last year pleated skirts were OK, they didn't send an email or put something in the paper ¿ who reads the rule book?"

She said pleated skirts were actually encouraged at some private schools and were less revealing as the present skirts had a tendency to ride up. The girl added: "I was sent home for two-tone hair — but I had two-tone hair last year."

Infractions by the three girls who visited this newspaper include lip gloss, nail varnish and flat shoes.

Flat shoes are not tolerated but nor are heels above two inches

The trio said girls now have to troop in with tongues out and nails displayed for inspection.

"It's degrading. What does any of this have to do with our education?"

The girls said the rigorous dress inspections took more than half an hour with one student told not to move her ear stud from its present location to a hole just millimetres away on the same lobe.

However, Berkeley principal Michele Gabisi said: "We have had a very positive start to the term, but unfortunately, in spite of clearly circulated information on school uniform, several students were sent home as they were not correctly attired. The main infractions were — inappropriate shoes, multi-coloured hair, skirts with pleats and pants too long and worn inappropriately."

She said Berkeley was committed to excellence. "We require our students to be committed to the highest standards of learning, deportment, behaviour and attendance.

"We have started on the first day of school in our efforts to uphold those standards. We simply ask that all our students and parents uphold and obey the school rules."