Boy punished by school for ‘extreme haircut’

The teen visited a barber shop on Saturday, September 21, and remained in lessons until Wednesday, September 25, when he was told his trim was in breach of the rules.

He was placed in the behavioral unit the next day, before his furious mother took him out of school.

Liam spent Friday at home doing school work and later obtained a doctor’s letter confirming that he suffers from eczema.

He was allowed back into class on Monday, as his hair was deemed to have grown out long enough, the stepfather said.

But he says that Liam should have been exempt from the rules.

‘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,’ he fumed.

‘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,’ he continued.

‘Professionals have similar trims and it would not stop him from getting a job.

‘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.

Sandman claimed he called reception as many as 18 times and no one answered.

He said that he will make a formal complaint.

The stepfather said: ‘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.

‘Liam’s neck had flared up when he went to the doctor and she said it was down to stress.’

But Mr Richardson says there will be no changes to the school rules.

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.

‘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.