Dozens of parents are having their say as a furious row continues over a school's zero tolerance policy on uniforms.

More than 50 pupils were sent home from Hartsdown Academy on the first day of term today for breaching school uniform rules.

The rules include a ban on jeans, skin-tight trousers, denim jackets, t-shirts and jewellery.

Police were called as head Matthew Tate took the firm action on his first day in his job.

But his actions have divided KentOnline readers.

Claire Berry said: "Totally wrong that my year seven niece, on the first day of her new school, where she had no friends and didn't know anybody is sent home because her skirt was not pleated!

"However after checking the uniform list it says plain or pleated. Still she was sent home! This has totally devastated her first day at her new school and felt completely embarrassed."

Jennifer Cordery said: "My daughter was sent home because of apparently she had the wrong shoes on, yet the only issue I could see was the fact that they were boy's shoes.

"Considering she walks the six miles total distance both to and from the school she needs to have shoes that will be harder wearing."

User "Sazgodd' added: "I am a parent at Hartsdown. People were sent home for stupid reasons. Gold buckles on shoes, too much of your foot showing."

But many others backed the head's stance.

'Mumof486' added: "Good on him! This is a perfect demonstration as to why some young people are so disrespectful towards rules and boundaries, if their own parents can not respect rules how on earth will their children ever learn?"

And user 'Black Lab' added: "Good on the head master. It's about time the schools got strict, the schools should be turning out well educated smart young ladies and gents. Kids to be proud of. No parent in their right mind can disagree with that."