Pupils who went to school in their air cadet uniforms out of respect for soldiers on Armistice Day were sent home from lessons.
Four students were asked to leave Smestow School in Wolverhampton yesterday after choosing to wear the blue uniforms to classes.
Today the families of the schoolchildren involved condemned the decision, saying it was disrespectful.
But headteacher Martyn Morgan said it was school policy for children to wear their uniforms at all times.
Among those sent home were Year 11 pupils Elle Phillips, aged 15, Aman Nanglu, also 15, and Rezanne Willis, 16, who are all members of the 1047 City of Wolverhampton Air Training Corps squadron.
They decided to wear their uniforms to pay tribute to fallen soldiers as the nation fell silent during the two minute act of remembrance. But they were told they could not return to the school on Windmill Crescent until they had changed back into their jumpers and ties.
Elle’s father, project engineer Paul Phillips, aged 47, of Woodland Road, Merry Hill, was contacted at 11.30am by the school to inform him his daughter would be leaving at midday to change.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. In fact, I am proud that Elle wanted to wear it. She is a very good student and she feels strongly about it.” Elle added: “We thought it was just respectful to show it wouldn’t just be a normal day. We wanted to show it does actually matter.”
Sales assistant Meena Kumari was at work when she heard her son Aman had been sent home. She said: “I’m utterly shocked. These youngsters take a lot of pride and they are on the right track. Why can’t the school see why they are doing it?”
Headteacher Mr Morgan said in a statement that the decision was made according to policy.