 Ten students were suspended last week |
A meeting on Wednesday night has failed to resolve a dispute over allegations of racism at a Devon school. Parents of 13 ethnic minority pupils at Parkside Community College say their children will remain at home school until action is taken to combat racism.
It follows the suspension of 10 pupils at the school after chanting of racial abuse in the playground last week.
In a statement, Plymouth City Council said the meeting had been "very constructive".
The parents said the meeting was an "important start", but their children would stay off school until they hear what action the council will take to tackle the problem. A spokesman for the independent anti-racism charity the Monitoring Group said on Thursday that, until an action plan was in place, the six families of the youngsters "just do not feel safe to return to the school."
In a statement, Plymouth City Council said it would now work with individual parents to address their concerns.
The children who were allegedly targeted by the racist chanting in the playground include refugees from Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan.
Plymouth City Council chief executive Mike Robinson said: "We listened to their concerns and take them very seriously.
"Plymouth City Council condemns any racist or intolerant behaviour.
"And we will work hard with the college staff, management team and the local community to foster better understanding and goodwill.
"The next step is for us to talk individually to those parents who are keeping their children home, and work closely with them to resolve their individual concerns."
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We listened to their concerns and take them very seriously 
