Frustrated Strood Academy pupils staged a sit-in protest after complaining of a rise in fights and racist attacks since the school was formed.
The 20-strong group of schoolgirls, made up of year ten and 11 students, refused to attend classes last Thursday morning until their concerns were heard.
Academy principal Richard Hart and senior staff met with the pupil protestors and listened to their complaints.
The youngsters said a range of problems had arisen since the academy was formed from the merger of Temple boys’ school and Chapter school for girls.
They said there are daily fights, constant racist attacks and that teachers did not want to teach.
Student Amy-May Fowle said: “The fights are just getting unbearable - there's two or three a day on the field.
“The teachers don't want to teach - it's a complete nightmare. We never wanted to be here. We just want to go back to our old school.
“There's no control here - the kids just do want they want.”
Classmate Sam Gardner added: "This place is a total nightmare. We just want people to see what it's like.
“The school is doing nothing to sort out the problems - there's loads of racism and it's getting worse.”
She claimed that a Polish boy in year seven was hospitalised after he suffered a broken nose, jaw, and ribs.
The girls were supported by their parents after they told them of their plans last night before the organised protest.
Karen Fowle, mum of Amy, said: "We're backing the girls - it's been terrible for them since the new academy opened."
Principal academy Richard Hart said: “Some year ten and 11 girls held a well-mannered protest on Thursday morning.
“I then met with them along with other senior members of staff and listened to their concerns. The matter has now been satisfactorily resolved.”
Strood Academy opened its doors on September 1.
TV presenter Loyd Grossman, famed for working on hit shows such as Masterchef and Through the Keyhole, spoke at the opening ceremony, held a month later.
Mr Grossman is chairman of the academy’s lead sponsor, the University for the Creative Arts.
The academy has 1,500 students on its books across the two sites – the former Chapter and Temple schools.
A new £30 million building will be built at the Temple site by 2012, marking the final stage of the schools’ merger.
It will specialise is mathematics and business and enterprise.
POSTED: 02/12/2009 09:00:00
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