Parents have hit out at Twickenham Academy after dozens of students were sent home for wearing "incorrect" trousers for a second day.

Students were turned away on the first day of term last Friday, which parents claimed was for wearing trousers deemed too tight and "provocative" by the new headteacher.

Principal Tracy Ward claimed just nine students were sent home on Friday for wearing jeans and leggings, but parents of children who were sent home reckoned 100 students were turned away at the gates.

Parents also said they were not informed their children were being sent home, despite Ms Ward claiming all parents were contacted or that alternative arrangements were made if parents could not be contacted.

Some students were placed in isolation if they were not wearing the correct trousers, parents claimed.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said her daughter was sent home on Friday for wearing jeans and returning wearing other trousers, which were deemed acceptable.

The parent said today, her daughter was refused entry into the school for wearing the same pair from Friday afternoon and was taken home.

She added: "The alternative is for her to be in isolation at school as if she's done something wrong where she doesn't have any lessons. This is wrong.

"The new principal is clearly trying to make her mark but there is nothing on the uniform regulations other than no jeans or leggings.

"She is now missing a day of school while we go out to try to buy her appropriate trousers as I am not having her in isolation like a criminal."

Students at Twickenham Academy have also expressed their dismay, saying their education is being compromised. A year 10 student, who did not want to be named, said she and three friends were sent home both on Friday and today.

She said: "This is what we have worn since we were in year 7. She said she informed the parents but she didn’t. This is going to affect our education but we are all wearing normal, black school trousers."

Another parent, whose two children attend the Percy Road school, said her children, who live more than 10 miles away, were "put in danger" after being refused entry last week.

She said: "I bought my 14-year-old daughters trousers from H&M. I wouldn’t let my child out the house if I thought she looked provocative.

"She [Tracy Ward] put some kids in danger. For year 7 and 8 to be turn up on their first day and be sent out, it is just unacceptable. She did jeopardise our children’s safety."

A document outlining the school’s dress code states: "In line with the Learning Schools Trust core value that ‘Everyone is different’, staff and students, when designing the clothing range wished there to be a degree of choice so that students have an opportunity to express their individuality.

"Students devised a dress code that has been approved by the academy leadership team which says that they may wear black trousers, or a skirt but not jeans, leggings or jogging bottoms. These should be plain black without logos."

The principal at Twickenham Academy has not yet responded for further comment.