Parents want to transfer their children from the school

It follows a series of complaints last month about racist chanting and egg throwing in the playground of Parkside Community College.

Some parents withdrew their children from lessons after the incidents. Ten students were suspended for a time.

Chief Executive Mike Robinson said a number of improvements were being made to monitor racism.

We heard about some harrowing tales of harassment Mike Robinson, Plymouth City Council

A meeting was held between parents and the city council after the incidents in September.

Both sides said it was constructive and an "important start", but the parents of 14 minority children there have now applied for them to be transferred to other schools.

The independent anti-racism charity, the Monitoring Group, said until an action plan was in place, the families of the youngsters "just do not feel safe to return to the school".

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Mike Robinson said: "The Monitoring Group alerted us to a number of problems.

"I met the parents and the children with the city's director of education and it was a very, very disturbing meeting.

"We heard about some harrowing tales of harassment, ranging from minor racist incidents through to actual violence to some of the pupils.

"There are recording systems in place, but I don't think they've been good enough.

"We've introduced additional resources for a better recording system for such incidents.

"We are working with the Race Equality Council and all the other statutory agencies to tackle this issue at a fundamental level."