PARENTS who say their children were racially abused at school are set to hold a protest against alleged discrimination.

Juliet and Adrian Ryan withdrew their seven-year-old son from Holland Park Primary School, in Clacton, after he allegedly suffered at the hands of bullies.

They have launched legal action after claiming the school did not do enough to deal with the problem.

Fellow parent Saskia King is also suing the school after alleging her nine-year-old son was subjected to two years of “bullying, isolation and assaults”.

She said: “When this racist name calling and bullying occurred, staff would stand by and look on.

“The minute my son tried to defend himself the staff would rush in, grab him and he would be thrown into isolation or excluded.”

When Mrs Ryan revealed she would be taking legal action against Holland Park, she says she realised “the full extent” of the problem. She said: “After we went public it made me really realise how serious the problem of racism is in Clacton.

“Demographics are changing and although I love Clacton, I think segments of the community underestimate the damage racism causes and could be more tolerant.

“I am protesting because schools should not be able to just sweep racism, discrimination and abuse under the carpet.”

In June, Mr and Mrs Ryan were left horrified when their other son, 15, returned home from Clacton County High School with racist slurs scrawled on his shirt.

Both families are appealing for parents and supporters to join them in a peaceful protest outside Holland Park Primary School, between 2pm and 4.30pm on November 29.

Mrs Ryan said: “I had no choice but to take the legal route as when it comes to racism there seems to be a protocol of denial, disbelief and deflection.”

A spokesman for the Premier Learning Trust, the governing body of Holland Park Primary School, said: “Premier Learning Trust acknowledges that a peaceful protest has been organised for November 29 at Holland Park Primary School.

“Given the fact that the legal proceedings are still active we are unable to comment further.”