School suspends pupil for haircut

10:08am Friday 2nd May 2008

A SCHOOLBOY has been suspended from a Trowbridge school after he had a haircut that broke the rules.

John of Gaunt School in Wingfield Road, Trowbridge, had no choice but to suspend 13-year-old Samuel Parker when he turned up at school on Monday with two tramlines cut into the hair on the side of his head.

School staff gave him a number of options including being taught in isolation, having his hair cut, staying at home or changing school, but he refused to alter his style and decided to stay at home in Leaze Road, Melksham.

His mother Joanna Parker, 46, was asked to come in to school to collect him on Monday. She said: "He's at home and is a bit down in the dumps.

"I don't know what to do because he is refusing to have his haircut. I think it's a bit unfair. It's against his human rights."

The school rules state that Samuel is in breach of the school policy.

The policy specifically requires that hair must not be at the extreme of fashion, stating: "It should be smart, tidy and a natural colour throughout. Artwork on the scalp is regarded as a fashion extreme - this includes tramlines, Mohicans and spikes."