Furious parents are describing a high school's rules as those like at a 'military boot camp'

Parents at a school in Bristol are furious over 'military boot camp' style rules that have been introduced for pupils since the start of term.

Parents of pupils at Blaise High School in the city have even been protesting over the new 'regime' with many claiming they are already looking at moving their children to another school.

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According to a list of rules seen by Bristol Live, pupils at the school are subject to a range of new rules including having to smile when a teacher asks them to; receiving detentions or isolation time for resting their chin on their hands in class, and stricter uniform regulations.

A new 'pace and purpose' rule requires students to 'walk in a straight line, quickly and with no gaps between anyone’, before ‘standing in a straight line’ as well as 'marching' in and out of school 'in silence'.

In lessons, pens must be down, students must sit up straight and there must be no talking, moving or turning around.

Meanwhile, the school's 'roll call' sees students stand in line while uniform and equipment - such as pencil cases and books - are inspected.

While Year 7-10 must allegedly undergo this three times a day, Year 11 are required to attend this five times a day. To make time for the roll calls, lunch has been restricted to half an hour, and students may only eat if they are sitting down.

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One parent told Bristol Live that her Year 11 daughter now wants to leave the school.

“Even though it is a key year, with her GCSEs coming up, she has had enough already. It’s not any one particular rule, it’s just like it’s a military school now,” she said.

"They march everywhere in silence, they can’t interact with their friends in a natural way, they are always terrified of not doing something right and getting a detention or suspension."

Another added: “There’s a kind of military feel. The kids have to do this roll call, with everyone marching into the hall five times a day and lining up to be inspected.

"They can’t laugh, they can’t speak, they have to smile if a teacher orders them to smile.

"The whole atmosphere of the school now means that the students say learning isn’t fun anymore."

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The school is run by the Greenshaw Learning Trust. In a statement, Will Smith, the CEO of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, said: "Our expectation is that all students present themselves in line with school policies and Blaise High School offers support to all parents and students to do this.

“Student's safety and well-being are the school's top priority and if any students or parents have any concerns they should contact the school directly."

Tyla has reached out to the trust as well as Blaise High School for comment.