Schoolboy, 15, pulled out of class over 'extreme' haircut he needs for medical condition
The parents of a 15-year-old boy are fuming over him being moved to a behavioural unit due to an 'extreme' haircut, describing the decision as "ridiculous"
by Tim HanlonNews Reporter, Conor Heneghan · Irish MirrorThe outraged parents of a 15-year-old boy have lashed out at his school for barring their son from classes, claiming the school's strict 'extreme' haircut rule overlooks his need to manage severe eczema.
Headteacher Jon Richardson of Strood Academy in Kent stands by the policy, he says, for fostering 'equality and focus', but the parents of 15-year-old Liam Farmer are fuming over him being moved to a behavioural unit, describing the decision as "ridiculous", reports Belfast Live.
The academy's policy states that "no extreme haircuts. eg: skin fades, graphics, lines and must be a minimum of grade one cut (senior leadership teams discretion)", but Liam's parents maintain that his haircut is essential to ease issues with his skin.
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Liam's stepfather Barry Sandman has branded the decision "unnecessary" and "horrible", detailing how Liam's haircut helps combat his intense eczema—aggravated by heat on his neck—and telling of an escalation in his condition due to "stress" over being ejected from class.
After getting a haircut on September 21, Liam was informed his style was non-compliant with school policy on September 25. The following day, he was moved to a behavioural unit, which led to a fiery response from his mum, who took him home.
He was allowed back into lessons on September 30, as his hair was deemed to have grown out long enough, Mr Sandman said. But the 47-year-old says his stepson should have been exempt from the rules due to his eczema.
"Something needs to change as Liam shouldn't be missing out on teaching time in his final year of GCSEs for a haircut that looks smart," he said.
"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."
"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," he added. "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."
Mr Sandman has expressed his deep frustration after reportedly ringing the reception up to 18 times without an answer over an incident and is now planning to lodge a formal written complaint. Additionally, he accused headteacher Mr Richardson of "avoiding" his calls but has finally managed to schedule a meeting at the school next week.
"They are refusing to talk to me," he said. "The headteacher has been avoiding my calls. 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."
"This headteacher makes all of the children line up in the morning and the lines have to be perfect," he added. "It's regimental style... They have uniform checks every morning. Liam's neck had flared up when he went to the doctor and she said it was down to stress."
However, Mr Richardson, responsible for more than 1,300 pupils, stands firm on school policy, stating: "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."
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