Parents and pupils held a protest at a Camborne school on Wednesday (today) against stricter disciplinary measures being introduced.

Police were in attendance at Camborne Science & International Academy after pupils reportedly started to climb the school fence.

The protest followed parents accusing the school of introducing "draconian measures" to discipline schoolchildren for incidents such as yawning, not having a sharp pencil, not wearing a blazer during a heatwave and being a few minutes late.

Parents claim nearly 100 students a day have been ordered to attend ‘reflection’ detentions in the school hall.

They now fear their children are missing out on their education due to the “Victorian" punishments.Some parents have allegedly threatened to withdrawn their children from the academy due to their strict behavioural policy while others have called for the school to be inspected.

The harsh rules have led to more than 1,400 local residents to join a Facebook community group campaigning for change at the school.

One parent said: “Honestly Camborne Science & International Academy has become a joke.“Reflection for going to the toilet during lesson, reflection for going to the toilet during break and having to queue which resulted in being late to class, and another reflection for "being distracted" during reflection, when all she did was turn around when the door banged.

"It's a good job we spend time working on her education outside of school, as she certainly isn't getting an education in school.”

Another parent added: "Their punishments are utterly pathetic and certainly taking the kids confidence away how do they expect a pupil to learn any education with punishments like this for even breathing for gods sake.

"On a serious note, refusing a pupil of using the toilet if needed and depriving them of their lunch is against human rights absolutely disgraceful."

Another said: "If we as parents treated our kids the way the school does we'd have them removed from our care.

"Not in a million years would I EVER treat any of my kids like this or any kids for that matter.

"Power seems to have gone to their heads and they think its acceptable to treat them this way."

A spokesperson for Camborne Science & International Academy said: "As an academy, we uphold the highest expectations for behaviour in order to foster a learning environment which empowers every student to achieve their potential.

"Whilst the vast majority of our students embrace these high standards, since the start of the academic year we have had to remind some students of the rules in place, which are consistently applied to all students, though it would not be appropriate to comment on individual circumstances.

"The only new rule this academic year was a requirement to have a transparent pencil case, a change which was well communicated before the end of the last term.

"Punctuality, organisation, good uniform and consideration towards others are essential core values necessary for personal success.

"As always, if any parents or carers have questions about how a policy was applied in a specific instance, they are encouraged to contact the academy directly through the usual and appropriate channels.

"In order to support continued excellence in teaching and learning across our academy, we are currently in the process of going through due diligence with Athena Learning Trust with a view to joining the Trust in the future.

"We have written to parents and carers explaining there will be an opportunity to consult before any final decisions are made and we will invite parents, carers and colleagues to take part in a consultation process in due course."