"Discrimination and prejudice have no place at Saddleworth School", headteacher Mike Anderson has said.

The defence comes after reports in the Manchester Evening News of two pupils being suspended and extra lessons on diversity being commissioned after reports they made monkey noises and performed Nazi salutes at black and Asian children.

According to the piece, a school investigation uncovered a Snapchat group called "The Nazi Party", with material suggesting students involved had an interest in far-right politics.

Other incidents alleged in the article include pupils singing songs about the Ku Klux Klan to a mixed-race student.

The Ku Klux Klan, or KKK, is an American white supremacist hate group with a history of racist crimes including cross-burnings, arson, beatings, murder, and even bombings.

The group primarily targets black people, but also targets Hispanics, Jews, Latinos, Asian people, Native Americans, Muslims, and atheists amongst others, as well as institutions associated with these groups.

Other accusations lodged in the report include pupils calling a Jewish teacher "a f***ing Jew" and saying "I hate Jews".

According to the report, two pupils were suspended from the school but were subsequently allowed back.

Families of the victims were said to be "devastated".

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The council said the alleged incident was a disciplinary matter for the school and not something it would comment on.

When asked about the council’s plan or strategy to tackle racism in schools, the local authority did not acknowledge the question or respond to it.

In a statement, headteacher Mr Anderson said: “Saddleworth School has high expectations for our young people and their conduct towards each other.

“As a school we aim to develop students who understand, respect and celebrate the diversity in our school community and beyond. 

“Discrimination and prejudice have no place at Saddleworth School and any behaviour which falls short of our expectations will be dealt with very seriously.”

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When pressed further for comment on the specific allegations, and asked what the school was doing to ensure students of minority and ethnic backgrounds were safe and supported, The Oldham Times was told there would be "no further comment" by the school’s headteacher.

Saddleworth North Cllr Luke Lancaster responded that he had nothing to add to the school’s public comment, and had only seen the school’s public comment.

Fellow ward Cllr Pam Byrne and Lib Dem Cllr Garth Harkness and Greater Manchester Police were approached for comment.