OUTRAGED parents claim 100 students at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy were given detention on their first day back at school for breaking the strict new uniform rules.

The punishment was handed out on Wednesday, with some pupils held back because they were wearing skin-tight trousers, and others for not wearing the right colour socks.

The new rules were brought in for the start of the new term, which begun earlier this week, and parents were sent a letter in July outlining the new procedure.

Some parents are now considering moving their children to other schools.

Tracey Curnock has two daughters at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and both had detention for not wearing the right trousers, even though she says they were wearing ‘regulation’ Marks & Spencer back-to-school trousers.

She said: “I’m disgusted at the way they are treating the kids and I have contacted Ofsted about this ludicrous attention to punishing them.

“Nowhere in the policy does it state that they are not allowed.

“This is becoming totally preposterous and it needs to be rectified immediately.”

Parents were angry that some children had difficulties getting home, with pupils detained until 4pm missing their 3.30pm school bus.

Tracey added: “Some children couldn’t even get home last night as they were left with no transport back.”

The academy said in its policy document that parents will receive a text message if their child is detained, but some didn’t receive it on Wednesday, which the school says is down to a “communication error by a new member of staff”.

Another parent whose child attends the school, but who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “Originally I was in support of the new rules as the school sold it to parents as a way to stop bullying to protect children at the school.

“This is not the case as they are putting policy above children’s happiness, which is causing them anxiety - the school is treating the children as if they are in the army.

“The point that no punishment was issued for bad behaviour but due to uniform or equipment reflects on the children unfairly.”

But headteacher George Croxford described the parents’ claims as “rubbish”, and said just 60 students were given detention.

Mr Croxford said: “We were expecting this reaction as we know people do not like change.

“At this school we are aiming to do our absolute best for students and we believe the new policies will give them the best environment to do this.

“The policy that we have introduced is known by parents and students and there is no excuse for not abiding by them.

“If they do not have the correct equipment as stated or students choose not to have them then they will be punished with detention.”

He added: “All of the recipients of detention were wearing incorrect uniform.”

WHAT’S ALLOWED AND WHAT’S NOT

Trousers must be grey coloured in a traditional full length, formal style. They are not allowed to be ‘fashion styles,’ which means no leggings, jeggings, jeans, baggy or skinny styled trousers.

They are also not allowed to have metal studs, rivets, be branded or labelled or have fake zips.

Other styles such as chinos, cord, patterned fabric, casual trousers or branded items are forbidden.

Only black belts will be accepted as an accessory.

Skirts have to be grey coloured traditional school style and must be at least knee length.

White long-sleeved shirts with a button collar that are suitable for a tie are allowed but no tee shirts are to be worn underneath the school shirt.

Only black V-neck jumpers with the school logo will be tolerated as uniform.

Socks are only allowed to be black or grey with no patterns or embellished designs – tights also must be black, grey or flesh coloured.

Footwear has to be black shoes and should be plain, leather or leather look, substantial, hard-wearing and of a sensible style. No heels, trainers, boots, canvas, fur, or skate shoes are acceptable.

Finally coats have to be plain, dark coloured and should be worn over the school jumper by all students to and from school as appropriate to the time of year and weather conditions. They are not to be worn inside the building.

The average cost for a uniform, including physical education kits, is £200.