A headteacher has accused parents of using their children to fight their own feuds in school.

Joe Johnson, headteacher of Sandhills Primary School, in Delbush Avenue, Sand- hills, Oxford, said some adults were using their children to bully fellow pupils, against whose parents they held a grudge.

Mr Johnson described their behaviour as "despicable" following the departure of a child on Friday, June 6, who he said had been persecuted by other pupils -- with their parents' approval.

"This child was victimised. If you stand at the school gate looking and staring at a child and encouraging children to shun that child in various ways, spitting at the parent's car as well, throwing sticks and stones, that's victimisation and it's disgusting," he said.

"That's not coming from the children, it's coming from the parents."

He added: "A group of parents have been really nasty. It could have been over something ridiculous -- some of it goes back to when the parents were children themselves.

"There are big problems in our catchment area. Someone does something to one, that family says 'We will get you', and it builds up for years.

"My concern is keeping that kind of trouble outside the school. I don't even want it at the school gates."

The mother of one pupil denied that the problems were caused by feuding parents.

Elaine Sturdy, 34, of Bassett Road, Barton, said: "All I'm worrying about is the bullying. I don't think Mr Johnson knows how to handle it."

The chairman of the governors, Chris Hicks, denied there was a culture of bullying.

He said: "I have some knowledge of this obviously, but I deny that nothing is being done about it.

"If it's true that parents are bringing into school issues and disputes they are having outside school, then I would condemn that because of the effect it would have on their children and other children at the school."

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: "To our knowledge, neither Sandhills School nor the child's parents have approached learning and culture department staff to address the concerns regarding bullying allegations and discipline issues."

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "We have had no reports of bullying in connection with this school.

"We can offer advice, but would seek to work with the school as closely as possible should such a complaint be received."