FIFTY pupils have been suspended from Nova Hreod School – after they went on strike because the school stayed open through the snow.

The Year 10 and 11 pupils refused to come back in from the playing field after morning break on Wednesday.

Headteacher Julie Tridgell said she had to take a tough response, as ringleaders had encouraged the students to stay out.

A number of parents were upset at the mass suspension, as their children are not allowed back until Monday.

But Mrs Tridgell said the pupils’ strike was a poor excuse for bad behaviour. She said: ”They refused to come in so I had to take a tough line.

“Students must understand they cannot behave like that. I am giving them a clear message.

“It was a difficult day on Wednesday but the school is focused on improvement and rewarding those young people who come into school and do the right thing day after day.”

The ringleaders of the strike will face long-term exclusion and the school will be notifying parents.

But mum Joanne Stevenson, 40, believes the school was too heavy handed.

Her daughter Victoria was excluded even though she was making her way back in after break.

Mrs Stevenson, from Moredon, said: “It has baffled me why they have taken this road.

“They should have given them a warning first. You need to set borders for the kids but it should have been detention first.

“I just can’t believe it and am so cross. No kids are angels but to exclude them, when coursework is due, is a bit much.”

Fifteen-year-old Victoria has a GCSE coursework deadline for today and her mother is worried about the consequences of her missing it.

Mrs Stevenson had to leave work on Wednesday lunchtime to go and pick her daughter up after getting a call from the school.

But Mrs Tridgell said pupils will get the support they need to catch up on their return.

The school is still deciding if yesterday’s closure because of the snow will count towards the suspension.

Mrs Tridgell added that she was grateful for the support of a number of parents on the issue.