Dartmouth Academy has been accused of failing to support an 11-year-old pupil following allegations that he had been subjected to racial abuse by other pupils.

Zachary Fells – whose father is Afro-American – has been the subject of racial taunts on and off for the last two years, claims his mother Anita.

Now she has taken him out of school and complained to the county education department after accusing the school of doing nothing about it.

'He has lost faith in the school and they don't support him,' she said.

But academy principal Nick Hindmarsh declared: 'The accusation that the academy does not take racism seriously is frankly absurd.

'Racism or prejudice in any form is not tolerated at Dartmouth Academy.'

Zachary and his mother live in Chestnut Grove with Zachary's brother's Tyler,13, Brandon, six, and one-year-old Sky.

Ms Fells said that in the latest incident involving a clash between Zachary and another boy, it was Zachary who ended up being excluded for two days even though he says the boy called him racist names.

She said that Zachary had been called racist names on occasions at the school over the last two years – usually with the same children involved.

She said that even the police had been involved in investigations at the school, but said: 'The school says there were no witnesses for the times and dates recorded and they couldn't do anything about it.'

She claims the school is not listening to her and said: 'I want Zachary to be supported by the school but I don't think he is.'

Mr Hindmash said in reply: 'The academy has, during my time here, received three accusations of racist behaviour by students.

'All three were thoroughly investigated.

'The first resulted in the suspension of a Year 9 student, who was made very aware of the severity of their behaviour, and told if they were to repeat it they would receive a more severe punishment and possibly be the subject of police action.

'In the second the police were informed and asked to investigate and found there was no evidence racist behaviour had taken place.

'In all cases we have followed advice and reported these accusations to Devon County Council.

'This latest event has also been passed onto the police, but we have investigated within the school and have evidence from a third student, who has no connection to the two involved in the situation, which states categorically that no racist language was used.

'Moreover the student making the accusation has been excluded for aggressive behaviour connected with this event. We have also reported this event to Devon County Council.

'The academy has a small group of students from ethnic minorities and some on international exchanges. Because of this, we are all the more aware that racism cannot be accepted and all of our teachers, staff and students are aware it is never acceptable to judge someone on their race, religion or country of origin.

'This has even extended to us contacting the police when we received a letter from a member of the community inciting racism.

'The police have been informed of the current situation and are investigating. We have taken the appropriate steps and have taken the right action in this case.

'If there was any evidence of racist behaviour we have already demonstrated that we will act – IF there is evidence to support an accusation.'