SCHOOLS are set to be told to ask their pupils what they think about issues such as the style of their uniforms and the state of their playing fields.

Primaries and secondaries will be legally obliged to consult children if an amendment to the Education Bill now going through Parliament is passed.

Education watchdog Ofsted is already experimenting with questionnaires for 11 to 16-year-olds to fill in as part of changes to the standard school inspection.

The consultation provoked uproar among teacher unions, who said it was likely to give pupils with a grudge the chance to take revenge on teachers they did not like.

Now, under the new moves, children as young as seven would be consulted on school matters.

The Department for Education and Skills is seeking the views of teachers and parents before issuing guidance on how the new rules should be followed.

Schools would be presented with a range of ways of consulting pupils, all based on "best practice".