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A school in the West Midlands has created a furore after reportedly separating children in the playground based on whose parents paid a donation for new sports equipment.

Wednesbury Oak Academy has sparked outrage over what many have referred to as "rich and poor zones".

The school has created segments in the playground, stopping pupils from playing with sports equipment if they hadn't paid for it.

A 'no pay, no play' scheme was launched by the school last week, but has already attracted a wave of criticism from angry parents.

A petition has now been set up by mums and dads outraged at what they deem to be "social and financial discrimination".

The Parent Council at the West Midlands school asked for a voluntary £6 donation per child to purchase equipment for pupils to play with at lunchtime, reports the Mirror.

When the scheme launched children who hadn't paid were separated from those who had, to the dismay of outraged parents.

Headteacher Maria Bull has defended the move.

She said she was 'on the verge' of calling the police after claiming she had received multiple threats from disgruntled parents.

Speaking to the Mirror, she said: "Parents have behaved in a highly threatening manner on Facebook, telling me 'I need a good slapping'.

"This is not the way to behave.

"We have systems in place where parents can come and address their concerns.

"I am on the verge of calling the police."

She added that the school 'didn't have' any parents who could not afford the £6 cost and they had had 'eight months' to pay.

Of some 450 pupils she said only 50 parents had paid the £6, which amounted to just "15 pence per week", and all that was purchased was a football a rugby ball, a slinky, two skipping ropes and some a tennis balls.

A petition, started by parent Angela Moore, stated that parents, children and staff were "disgusted" by the scheme that they had branded "no pay, no play".

"The playground was separated into groups of "paid " and "unpaid" students," she wrote.

"This has caused outright disgust from children, Parents, grandparents, staff and such like.

"The parents that have paid and parents that haven't are totally against the separation of the children as this can cause upset, bullying and social exclusion amongst other things.

"We therefore request the 'scheme' to be discontinued as its just not something that any of us wish to be associated with."