A controversial head has been  accused of “wiping his hands” of  underperforming A-level students after  25 were told to leave midway through  their courses.
 

The pupils at Portslade Aldridge Community Academy’s sixth form have been  told they will not be welcomed back to  complete their courses in September.
 

Instead bosses said they would find  them places at other colleges in the city where they would be “better served”.
 

The academy, which is currently being led by interim headmaster James Fox, denied the move was designed to improve its exam results, instead insisting it would help struggling teenagers.
 

It said the academy regularly conducted reviews and that this one, which was requested by governors to take place after Christmas, was not linked to Mr Fox’s appointment.
 

But one mum accused the academy of dumping underperforming students instead of trying to help them.
 

Elizabeth West’s 17-year-old daughter, Tilly, is one of those who has been told not to come back next year.
 

The Hove mother said: “They are meant to support her. They are blowing hot air and wielding a hatchet.”
 

Mrs West said her daughter, who is currently studying A-levels in art, sport science and social care, was also due to resit her English and maths GCSEs but will now not be able to.
 

A spokesman for the academy said: “We have conducted a review of our sixth form students’progress to ensure that all of them were in a position to achieve employment after training, an apprenticeship, college or university at the end of their studies.
 

“In a number of cases members of staff met students and their parents yesterday to tell them that in order for them to be successful following completion of their courses this year they would be better served following courses next year that are available at other colleges in the city, but which the academy itself could not offer.”
 

The decision coincides with the appointment of controversial headmaster Mr Fox, who was behind more than 25 suspensions in the first week of this term.