Boy, 12, with blonde highlights put in isolation at school for ‘extreme’ haircut
An angry dad claims his son has been discriminated against after he was placed in isolation at school for his so-called ‘extreme’ haircut.
James Cullen’s son Jacob, 12, returned from Easter break with blonde highlights and some of his hair shaved down to grade one.
Within hours, the dad had a phone call saying the style was unacceptable, with teachers allegedly later suggesting he shave his son’s head.
St Andrew’s Catholic School, in Leatherhead, Surrey, has insisted the rules are applied the same to male and female students.
But Mr Cullen says he has seen many female pupils with dyed hair and has questioned whether his son would be treated differently if he weren’t a boy.
The schoolboy has been separated from friends and classmates during free periods and breaks since Thursday.
This led his dad to demand a meeting as he believes the punishment is unreasonable.
The father from Ashtead, said: ‘In the meeting I had with the school, his head of year suggested that he shave his head.
‘I don’t believe for a minute if he was a female pupil that they would have said that.’ The school denied such a such suggestion was made.
On the website, the uniform policy states: ‘Extremes of fashion in clothing, footwear and hairstyle are not permitted.
‘Hair colour and style must be appropriate for school. Dyed hair is not acceptable. Number 2 is the shortest cut allowed.’
The school has agreed to release Jacob from isolation on Tuesday to put an end to the issue after Mr Cullen threatened to keep him at home.
But the dad said: ‘I don’t want to draw a line under it, I’ve just started. What we need is consistency, the rules need to apply across the board.
‘I’ve dropped Jacob off at school every morning for the past seven months, and I’ve seen lots of female students with bleached blonde hair.’
Headteacher Alan Mitchell said that the school’s rules are explained clearly to parents months before their children are admitted.
He added: ‘Parents would expect me to apply the rules fairly and consistently. We made the rules crystal clear, and we know that’s what is best for the kids.’
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