Angry pupils have hit back and staged a mass walk-out over their school's strict new uniform policy that has been labelled discriminatory and racist.
Hundreds of pupils left the school at Pimlico Academy in Westminster, central London, on Wednesday, to call for the uniform policy to change.
At the school, hairstyles that "block the view of others" and colourful hijabs have been banned from the academy's grounds.
Videos posted online show headteacher Daniel Smith being confronted in a corridor with a male student asking: "What do you have to say about the protests, Mr Smith? Mr Smith, stop walking away. Where are you going?"
Over the weekend, graffiti was spray-painted on to the school's walls, which read: "Headmaster Smith should get the sack."
Pupils have since staged a sit-in at the school, claiming that there has been no recognition of Black Lives Matter or Black History Month.
There are also concerns about the placement of the union jack flag on the school's site that has allegedly been ignored.
More graffiti stated: "Ain’t no black in the Union Jack," and "White schools for brown kids are u mad."
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A member of the academy's senior leadership team on Tuesday asked pupils to cancel Wednesday's protest and sit-in, but students said it made them even more determined to press ahead, it was reported.
Students of the school attempted to outline their issues in a statement posted online, claiming the institution has "unfairly targeted groups" and the academy should "protect marginalised races, religions and other groups instead of target them."
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The statement adds: "We believe the idea of gendered uniform for all students is a ridiculous, backwards ideal. This ostracises non-binary and gender non-conforming students, or those who are struggling with their gender identity.
"We believe that the school has been inconsiderate of students and families living in poverty. All students should have fair treatment, especially in basic rights such as food and clothing."
A spokesman for the central London school said: "The rationale for this is self-explanatory and doesn’t relate to any specific hairstyle."
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