Hundreds of fed up parents have slammed a raft of new punishments handed down by the new CEO of a school which have turned the school into a “concentration camp”.
As part of the new measures at Bideford College, Devon, mums and dads reported their children being sent to quiet rooms for speaking, coughing, asking for water and forgetting equipment.
As a result of the tough new measures pupils have been seen crying in lessons and once home not wanting to go back into school and requested moves.
Parent Keeleigh Mellor said her daughter was "denied her basic human rights" when a teacher took her food away, Devon Live reported.
She said: "They took my daughter's dinner, actual food, away from her last week as a punishment because she refused to go in reflection for asking a fellow student where specific equipment was needed for that lesson.
"Not on this earth would I take my child's food away as a punishment.
“It's so wrong."
Another parent claimed her son was punished "for having a drink of water during the break in a double lesson."
Someone else added: “It's no longer a school where children can be happy and learn, this place has turned into a concentration camp."
Another parent commented: "All three of my children are miserable attending Bideford college because of the rule changes, my kids have been in tears on a regular basis because they hate having to go to school.
“Not being able to talk in class, not allowed to look out the window, it's pathetic.
“It's not a military school but it's trying to become one."
A petition was launched by parent Anthony Spencer calling for a review of the school's policy and has already been signed by more than 800 parents.
It reads: "We feel the changes made to the behaviour policy at Bideford College have been detrimental to our children’s education and mental health.
“Children are regularly being sanctioned for minor infringements and are therefore missing vital lessons.
“They are expected to sit in complete silence in many lessons. They are being made to copy from the same low level maths booklet several times a week.
“They are coming home in tears, not wanting to go to school at all, or requesting to be moved.
“It appears all children are being collectively punished. The environment that has been created is extremely harmful to their education and wellbeing.”
Ben Parnell, CEO of Athena Learning Trust said of the measures: “Our expectation is that all students and staff follow the school policies and procedures and Bideford College offers support to all parents and students to do this.
“Students’ safety and well-being are the school's top priority and if any students or parents have any concerns they should contact the school directly."
