A number of pupils have been suspended after a mass walk-out at West Somerset College in protest at what some have claimed are excessive punishments.

Students at the secondary school in Minehead have complained about sanctions for not having a shirt tucked in or going to the toilet during lessons without written permission.

 Some refused to attended afternoon lessons on Monday and crowded into the college’s main quad area where one student climbed on to a roof to wave leaflets reading “Get predators out of our school” and “Bigger problems than uniform.”

The demonstration continued throughout the afternoon despite the efforts of the college authorities to break it up by setting off fire-alarms, and it was claimed that damage was caused during the incident.

 In a letter to parents, college head-teacher Nikki Doughty blamed the disturbance on a national trend instigated on social media encouraging students to refuse to attend lessons, protest and cause vandalism.

She said that West Somerset College was the latest of over 50 schools to be affected in the last week.

 But parents and students who contacted the Free Press claimed that tension over the punishment system had been building up over the past few weeks and that students felt that no-one listened to their grievances.

 One 15-year-old said: “There is this ban on students going to the toilet during lessons. If you are desperate you have to be escorted by a teacher or you have to have what’s called an exit card which shows you have a medical condition.

 “This started some time ago but now it has got absolutely extreme. You get punished for the most trivial offices while more serious things, like those involving sexual harassment, go largely unpunished.

 “The majority of the school took part in the protest and afterwards we moved to various parts of the college trying to get our points across to teachers and support staff but they were just standing around doing nothing and not really listening to anybody.”

 Another student added: “We just want teachers to listen to us and realise just how we are feeling. The college should have another look at their policies regarding punishments. At the moment, too many important things are being ignored.”

 A parent with two children at the college, which has 858 students, said: “I am absolutely disgusted that they have suspended students who have the right to protest if they feel they are not being listened to.

"Other parents I have talked to are supportive of Monday’s action and feel the school is letting their children down.”

After Monday’s incident Ms Doughty told the Free Press: “Some students chose to protest, having seen other such protests at other schools around the country on social media. This is a national trend.

 “Some students were suspended from school. All suspensions were reasonable and proportionate and comply with legislation and guidance to schools. Teachers and staff will always listen to students but concerns need to be raised in the appropriate manner.”

 Ms Doughty referred to her letter to parents in which she said the college had tried to avoid a mass walk-out by explaining to students the available methods of voicing their thoughts and concerns.

 These included talking to tutors, heads of year, support staff, safeguarding teams, senior students or booking an interview with the head teacher.

 “Despite this session, disappointingly, some students refused to attend lessons and congregated in the quad with no clear reason. To avoid the escalation of this we held a fire drill to return students to lessons and avoid further disruption to the school.

 “A number of students did not follow safe fire drill procedures and still did not return to lessons. Some of these students caused damage to the school. We will contact these families individually.

 “Please can I ask you to support us by checking your child’s technology for any messaging on social media encouraging protesting and discussing how to use appropriate methods to report things to adults at school. We appreciate your support.”