Boy banned from school because his hair's too short

A teacher at Bexhill High School told Richard Ellis, 12, on Monday that his close haircut was "unacceptable".

He was informed he could return to school on Wednesday but would have to study on his own.

Year 7 pupil Richard said: "I don't see why I should be separated from the children in my class just because I have got short hair."

In the event, Richard was allowed back to normal classes on Wednesday following talks with Bexhill High.

His angry mother, Susan Ellis of Martyns Way, contacted the Observer to say: "Richard started at Bexhill High in September. I don't know what their codes are - what they expect and what they don't.

"I had a phone call to say they were sending Richard home because his hair is short.

"My child is of mixed-race origin - when his hair is longer, it doesn't look very nice.

"Since the age of two onwards, I have always cut his hair right down to nothing. I let it grow to about a number two, then re-cut it again. That is what best suits him.

"But Bexhill High says he has an unacceptable haircut."

Susan says she was originally told he was not to go back to class until his hair was number two length - she estimates that would take a month.

She objected strongly to the idea of segregation from the other children and said she would rather keep him at home.

She said: "If they had said please next time you cut his hair don't make it too short, I would do that. I am happy to comply with the rule. I just was not made aware of it."

"He has had that haircut since he was a baby, and it was fine at Sidley CP and then Pebsham.

"He is not a disruptive child. He is a good kid in school. Also, he is dyslexic and needs encouragement at school.

"It is a skinhead, admittedly, but that doesn't stop his ability at learning. If it was a Mohican with bright red spikes I could understand it ... but it just looks neat and tidy."

Head teacher Mike Conn said the school rule was clear, that an "extreme" haircut was not allowed.

"Students may have their hair cut to a number two grade but not less. In addition, extreme styles of colour or cut are deemed inappropriate.

"All of this is explained to parents when their child enters the school and then frequently during the year."

He said when a problem arose the usual practice is that a discussion with the parent results in an agreement that the child will remain at home with work supplied until the hair has grown, which takes a week at most, or that the child comes into school and works under the supervision of one of the senior staff but is not in normal classes until the hair is of the correct length.

He added: "The focus is really on the need for schools to work in partnership with parents. Policies are agreed and implemented and we should all be working to ensure that education is as smooth as possible and avoids confrontation that affects a child's learning. Bexhill High will continue to insist on good appearance and continue to implement the policy."