A GROUP of parents is threatening to sue their local high school, claiming their children have suffered "bullying" because they don't attend special religious education classes.

One parent, who asked not to be named, said Ulladulla High School on the New South Wales south coast had been forced to abort its initial plan to put the students at the back of the scripture classes because it was against department rules.

The parent said the new arrangements were inadequate and so confusing that some students ended up back in the scripture classrooms because they felt they had nowhere else to go.

The school notified the community of the new arrangements in a news- letter this week.

It said students would be "minimally supervised" in an outdoor area that is "currently being renovated by the Year 12 construction students".

The parent said the area was in an isolated bush setting that was not generally used and had no protection from the weather.

"Some have been sent to sit outside the Deputy Principal's office in the detention area," the parent said.

"Another group has been sent to sit outside the library door."

A Department of Education and Training spokeswoman said that the arrangements at Ulladulla High School were consistent with the Department's guidelines.