A group of children have been sent home for ''showing an inch of ankle'' at school.
School strict uniform
Parents were furious after the first day back after half term saw around 50 pupils at Consett Academy sent home because they didn't have the correct shoes, trousers and socks, the Metro newspaper reported.
Now the parents have slated the strict uniform policy, but the school argued that they were told before the February break.
One pupil was sent home after her teacher claimed that showing her ankle was a distraction but her mother, Victoria Willis, said it was sexist.
She said: ''I think it is appalling they've sent my daughter home for showing an inch of ankle.
''I don't see how showing your ankle can be a distraction or affect your education.
''Even the boys wear tight trousers but they don't get sent home - I think it is sexist and something needs to be done.''
A spokesperson for the school said most students arrived correctly dressed and added: ''However, we have increasingly noticed a number of students are choosing not to wear the correct trousers, black shoes and appropriate socks and tights.
''This not only breaches our policy but isn't fair to the 95+% of students who come to school correctly dressed.''