SHOCKED parents have staged a sit-in at the Ridgeway School in a bid to get their fears of bullying and racist gangs heard following a hammer attack on a student.

The group of about 20 parents crammed the school's reception area today refusing to leave until they were heard by school headteacher Steve Colledge.

They have called for security guards to be employed at the Wroughton school, where a boy, believed to be Henry Webster, was set upon with a hammer yesterday afternoon.

The 15-year-old boy is currently in a stable condition after being transferred from Great Western Hospital in Swindon to Bristol's Frenchay Hospital.

The parents, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution against their children, said they would not be sending their youngsters to Ridgeway until they were convinced it was safe.

They said a group calling themselves the "Asian Invasion" had been behind a campaign of bullying at the school.

Mr Colledge said a letter would be sent to all parents inviting them to a meeting next Friday to discuss any issues.

Members of the parent group said they wanted better security at the school for all students, as well as for staff.

Mr Colledge said there was no proof the attack was racially motivated.

He said there had been a minor incident in the playground on Thursday afternoon but nothing had warned the school of the pending attack.

The injured boy, who is white, was set upon at the end of the school day by a gang of Asian men, who jumped out of a car and pinned him down on the school's tennis courts.

He is thought to have been hit several times with a hammer.

He was left lying in a pool of blood after being set upon by a gang of at least four.

Eight males aged between 14 and 20 years were arrested last night and were today being questioned at Gablecross police station.

A police spokeswoman said the investigation was continuing and it was too early to say whether it was a racist incident.

Police spent the morning interviewing students who witnessed the incident.

One mother, who did not want to be named, said: "It's incredible this could happen on school grounds in broad daylight.

"It's horrific. It makes you wonder whether you are doing the right thing by making your children go to school today."

A father of two, who stopped outside the school gates to drop off his 15-year-old, said: "I've heard there's been some racial problems between the white kids and the Asian kids.

"I hope this doesn't kick something off."

Mr Colledge said Ridgeway was a safe and harmonious school.

"It's predominantly a white school.Asian pupils probably make up less than 5 per cent."

Mr Colledge said students were briefed about the attack in their tutor groups this morning.

He said counselling for pupils who witnessed the incident would be offered if needed and stressed that he did not want the attack to damage the reputation of his school.