A TEENAGE pupil has been kicked out of class because his teachers say his haircut was “too extreme”.
However the parents of Liam, who attends Strood Academy, say their son needs it for health reasons.
Headteacher Jon Richardson says their haircut policy aims to bring “equality and focus” to pupils at the Kent school.
But 15-year-old student Liam’s parents have branded his removal from class and placement in a behavioural unit due to his skin fade – which he wears to cool his head due to his eczema condition – “ridiculous”.
The school’s policy states: “No extreme haircuts. eg: Skin fades, graphics, lines and must be a minimum of grade one cut (senior leadership teams discretion).”
However, Liam’s stepfather, builder Barry Sandman, says punishing Liam for his haircut is “unnecessary” and “horrible”.
Mr Sandman explained Liam’s hairstyle was a way of cooling his neck, as he suffers from severe eczema which gets worse when his head is hot.
He added that his skin condition had flared-up recently due to the ‘stress’ of being removed from class.
The teen visited a barber shop on September 21, and remained in lessons until September 25, when he was told his trim did not meet guidelines.
He was placed in the behavioural unit the next day, before his furious mother marched into the school, which is part of the Leigh Academies Trust, and took him home.
Liam spent Friday at home doing school work and later visited the doctor, where he obtained a letter confirming his skin condition.
He was allowed back into lessons on September 30, as his hair was deemed to have grown out long enough, Mr Sandman said.
But the 47-year-old says his stepson should have been exempt from the rules due to his eczema.
He said: “Something needs to change as Liam shouldn’t be missing out teaching time in his final year of GCSEs for a haircut that looks smart.
“It’s not like he has a mohawk, massively long braids or blue-dyed hair…
“If he had dreadlocks that were bright pink that would probably be fine.
“It is a sensible haircut. Pretty much every teenager in Medway has a similar haircut.
“Professionals have similar trims and it would not stop him from getting a job.
He has been having the same haircut for years and we have provided the school with the medical details
Liam’s stepfather Barry Sandman
“Plus he has his haircut like this as he has suffered from eczema for years and the skin fade keeps his head cool during the autumn and summer months as the heat from wearing a blazer, shirt and coat makes him sweat and irritates his skin.
“He has been having the same haircut for years and we have provided the school with the medical details but because it doesn’t say explicitly that he needs a skin fade the school did not take it into account.
“Him being taken out of class for this is ridiculous and unnecessary. It did not stop him or other kids from getting on with their work.”
Mr Sandman said he’d called reception as many as 18 times without answer over the incident and will be lodging a formal written complaint.
HEADTEACHER ‘AVOIDING’ CALLS
He also claimed headteacher Mr Richardson has been “avoiding” his calls, but now finally has a meeting at the school next week.
Mr Sandman added: “They are refusing to talk to me.
“The headteacher has been avoiding my calls.
“It’s horrible. Children need to feel happy and confident while they’re learning.
“His eczema is why he has short hair. Something needs to be done.
“Children are being victimised and picked on.
“This headteacher makes all of the children line up in the morning and the lines have to be perfect.
“It’s regimental style… They have uniform checks every morning.
WHAT ARE THE RULES OVER SCHOOL UNIFORM?
The Department for Education says it is down to the individual school to decide:
- Rules about appearance
- Whether there should be a school uniform policy and, if so, what that should be
- How the uniform should be sourced
These duties are placed on all governing boards by statute to ensure that school policies promote good behaviour and discipline among its pupils.
However, the Department for Education strongly encourages schools to have a uniform, as it can play a key role in:
- Promoting the ethos of a school
- providing a sense of belonging and identity
- Setting an appropriate tone for education
Source: Gov.uk
“Liam’s neck had flared up when he went to the doctor and she said it was down to stress.”
But headteacher Mr Richardson, who oversees more than 1,300 pupils, says there will be no rule changes.
He said in a statement: “Strood Academy is committed to maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment where high standards of behaviour and appearance are upheld.
“These standards are consistently applied across the academy to ensure all students are prepared for learning and that our school community remains focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for every child.
“We are aware of concerns raised by a parent regarding a student who was placed in the academy’s behavioural unit following concerns over the length of his haircut, which did not meet the academy’s uniform policy.
‘CLEAR AND WELL-ESTABLISHED DRESS CODE’
“The academy has a clear and well-established dress code, including guidelines on appropriate hairstyles, which is communicated to parents and students at the beginning of each academic year.
“These guidelines are in place to promote a sense of equality and focus across the academy.
“We are in communication with the parent and have offered a meeting to discuss their concerns in more detail.
“We always take into consideration any specific circumstances, including medical conditions, and seek to work collaboratively with parents to resolve matters.
“At this time, no formal complaint has been lodged, and we continue to engage with the parent to find an appropriate resolution.”
