Headteacher defends decision to punish schoolboy for going in with 'extreme haircut'

A headteacher has defended the haircut policy at his school after a pupil's skin fade was deemed too 'extreme'.

Jon Richardson is headteacher of Strood Academy, Kent, and said the haircut policy in the school was supposed to bring 'equality and focus'.

However, the parents of 15-year-old student Liam have said him being taken out of class and put in a behavioural unit because he has a skin fade is 'ridiculous'.

His parents have said the pupil has the haircut to cool his head because he has eczema.

Strood Academy's policy states: “No extreme haircuts. eg: Skin fades, graphics, lines and must be a minimum of grade one cut (senior leadership teams discretion)."

15-year-old Liam got a skin fade haircut and was punished by his school for it. (SWNS)

Liam's stepfather, builder Barry Sandman, says punishing the 15-year-old for his haircut is 'unnecessary' and 'horrible'.

He said the haircut helped cool Liam's neck, as his eczema gets worse when his head is hot, and said that the 'stress' of being removed from class had also caused it to flare up.

Liam got his latest haircut on 21 September and was in trouble the next Wednesday, 25 September when he was told his haircut didn't meet the policy.

He got put in a behavioural unit and before his mum went into the school and took him home.

He stayed at home for the last day of that week and got a doctor's note to inform teachers about his skin condition.

When he got back to school the next Monday (30 September) he was allowed back into lessons as his hair had apparently grown out long enough to fit 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," Sandman said of his stepson.

"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.

“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."

The builder said he was planning to submit a formal complaint to the school, and has a meeting with the headteacher coming up.

His family said the haircut helped keep his head cool and avoided his eczema from flaring up, while the school said they wouldn't be changing their policy. (SWNS)

Richardson said the school's haircut policy wouldn't be changing.

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.

“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."