Eight pupils at a Wiltshire secondary school have been suspended after protesting against a ban on "canoodling".
Children at Warneford School in Highworth, were told they were not allowed to kiss, hold hands or hug.
Several refused to return to classes last Friday lunchtime in protest, and held a rally in the playing field.
Headmaster John Saunders said the eight were suspended for being rude to staff and not because they contravened the "canoodling" rule.
He said the ban was aimed at instilling "appropriate behaviour" in pupils.
"We were reminding the pupils of a rule that already exists. It was fairly light-hearted," said Mr Saunders.
"We have a school council through which the pupils can express their views, but on this occasion they chose to make a protest in a different way."
The school has around 900 pupils aged between 11 and 16.