A public primary school with a “no-suspensions” policy has had so many violent incidents that angry parents are refusing to send their children to class because of fears for their safety.

Parents say students and staff at John Butler Primary College have been terrorised by repeated violent outbursts from a handful of children and they are demanding more action from the Education Department.

Five staff from the Butler school have lodged workers’ compensation claims this year for injuries resulting from physical attacks by students.

Parents have complained that aggressive students do not face any consequences for their actions because principal Brett Lewis has adopted a program called “Play is the Way”, which says pupils’ behaviour should not be “manipulated” using rewards or punishments.

The school’s website states it has a no-suspensions policy, though offenders can be sent to the office.

Year 5 and 6 pupils had to be evacuated to the school oval during the latest incident two weeks ago after one boy started trashing their classroom, overturning desks and chairs.

While the class was on the oval, another pupil punched an education assistant and three children in the face before pinning another child to the ground and choking them.

The students were told to run into a classroom where they cowered under desks while the agitated pupil bashed on the room’s windows and doors.

One mother said she had kept her daughter home since last week because she was too frightened to go to school.

“This is the third time this year she’s been removed because of other kids’ behavioural issues that aren’t being dealt with,” she said.

The Education Department confirmed some parents had kept children home over concerns for their safety after several violent incidents involving a small group of students.

Acting schools deputy director-general Stephen Baxter said a review of the school last November had highlighted problems with leadership, student behaviour and academic results.

The school was being supported to roll out improvement strategies.

“As a priority, the way the school handles aggressive and complex student behaviour is being strengthened,” he said.

Education Minister Sue Ellery said she did not support a no-suspension policy.

“Violence is completely unacceptable and there should be consequences that reinforce that,” she said.