Parents have slammed a school’s decision to exclude their son from classes due to an ‘extreme’ haircut, arguing it is necessary for managing his severe eczema. Strood Academy’s headteacher Jon Richardson defends the policy as promoting ‘equality and focus’ among students at the Kent institution.
However, the 15 year old pupil Liam’s parents have called his removal from class and placement in a behavioural unit ‘ridiculous’, citing his need for the haircut to cool his head because of his eczema. The school’s rules specify: “No extreme haircuts. eg: skin fades, graphics, lines and must be a minimum of grade one cut (senior leadership teams discretion).”
Yet, Liam’s stepfather, builder Barry Sandman, has criticised the punishment over Liam’s hairstyle as ‘unnecessary’ and ‘horrible’.
Mr Sandman points out that the haircut helps to keep Liam’s neck cool, which is crucial as he suffers from severe eczema that worsens with heat on his head. He also mentioned that the stress of being taken out of class exacerbated his skin condition.
After getting a haircut on September 21, Liam stayed in lessons until September 25, when he was informed his haircut did not comply with the school’s standards. He was sent to the behavioural unit the following day, leading to his mother confronting the school and taking him home, reports the Mirror.
Liam spent the subsequent Friday at home working on school assignments and later saw a doctor, who provided a letter verifying his skin condition.
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Mr Sandman expressed his frustration after his stepson was allowed back into lessons on September 30, as his hair had grown sufficiently. However, he argued that the 47 year old believes his stepson should have been exempt from the school’s hair policy 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 angrily.
“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.”
Mr Sandman continued, “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.”
Mr Sandman has reported dialling the school reception up to 18 times, receiving no response regarding the incident, and is set to file a formal written complaint. He also suggested that headteacher Mr Richardson has been ‘avoiding’ his attempts to make contact, however, a meeting has now been scheduled for next week at the school.
“They are refusing to talk to me,” said Mr Sandman. “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. 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.”
Despite these claims, headteacher Mr Richardson, in charge of an establishment educating over 1,300 students, stands firm on the regulations, affirming there will be no alterations to the current rules.
He responded with 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.”
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