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Original poster

Exclusion for hair?

40 replies

salcita1 · 04/12/2012 18:03

Hello everyone,

I need some help with an issue regarding my sons hair. He was isolated today and was not permitted to attend any of his lessons. Reason for this was because his hair was too short.

I did not get a letter from the school or a note given to my son. I checked the school's policies and their code of conduct and there is nothing regarding hair, only in regards to uniform and female student's wearing make-up and jewelry.

Can they do this? Legally?

OP posts:
ohfunnyface · 05/12/2012 22:36

Sounds very strange to not have a policy on hair.

Try emailing?

Loshad · 05/12/2012 22:32

we would internally exclude for that as well, less than no1 is pretty extreme imo

admission · 05/12/2012 22:32

The first thing to say is that if son is in school but in isolation then he has not been excluded. He is in what is commonly called internal exclusion but it is not a formal "legal" exclusion, in those circumstances you would have received a formal letter confirming it and also he would be at home, not at school.
The exclusion regulations say that formal exclusions should not be used for things such as hairstyles only where the behaviour of having extreme hairstyles is persistent and defiant.
You need to find out from the school what are their rules (even if they are not written down - which they should be) and ask about whether all pupils are given internal exclusions for such situations. Could it be that the reasons for the internal isolation are more complicated than just the haircut?

wheresthegin · 05/12/2012 20:18

"It wasn't skinhead short, although it may seem like that. His hair grows very quickly so opted for him to have a short haircut, less than number 1 on the clippers."

What do you describe as skinhead short then?

Kez100 · 05/12/2012 09:59

My Mum is a hairdresser and says she used to have a 0.5 grade blade and used to describe it as being equivilent to leaving one days hair growth on the head. Her Grade 1 blade leaves about one weeks hair growth. So, to be honest, less than grade one sounds extreme to me and I can understand why it might, if there is one, breach a school haircut policy.

FellatioBellsOn · 04/12/2012 18:41

Hang on, how can anyone have hair shorter than his if it is less than a number 1? Confused That is pretty much bald as a coot in my book. Definitely 'skinhead short'.

Original poster
salcita1 · 04/12/2012 18:37

I am not sure what the reasonable length is. I have looked at their policies and there is nothing. My argument is, why was it ok on Monday but not on Tuesday? My DS is mixed race, with a light complexion. School is out in Essex and is a quiet and generally well mannered boy. Also he had his hair that short before.

By no means am I racist or anything. But there are Afro-American children in the school with hair shorter than his. Where is the equality in that?

OP posts:
SquishyCinnamonSwirls · 04/12/2012 18:33

Ask for clarification. Why was it ok on Monday but not today? If a policy is in place then the rule should be constant. How long is "a reasonable length", that's very subjective.

helpyourself · 04/12/2012 18:29

I'd ask for a meeting, be compliant. It doesn't sound as if it was done provocatively- everyone comes out of the hairdressers 'wrong' sometimes and this seems unfair, especially as he's being bullied.

Original poster
salcita1 · 04/12/2012 18:25

Isolation until suitable length, that is what my son tells me. But I never got a letter, phone call, or anything. I called straight after I found out and left a message and nothing. Thanks for the responses everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
salcita1 · 04/12/2012 18:24

It wasn't skinhead short, although it may seem like that. His hair grows very quickly so opted for him to have a short haircut, less than number 1 on the clippers.

Problem is as well, he had it cut on Sunday, went to school on Monday. Nothing was mentioned to him. He actually told me that teachers complimented on his hair. Then today he gets isolation???

He was in a room unsupervised with older boys. He was bullied previously by older children a couple of years above him last year.

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 04/12/2012 18:24

I think legally they can put pupils into isolation for any reason (as long as they are still being educated).

How long is this likely to go on for- until his hair is deemed a suitable length?

helpyourself · 04/12/2012 18:19

Mmm it depends. How short? If suede like then school have a point.

jo164 · 04/12/2012 18:17

I think his treatment sounds unfair - but certainly not illegal. If there is no policy in place on the hair style pupils may or may not have, then there should have been no grounds to punish him on. What do they intend to do for the next 2/3 weeks until his hair grows?!
If he had work given to him in isolation, then the school were fulfilling their obligation to 'educate' him.
I would have a word with his Head of Year, and explain that you were unaware that his hairstyle was not permitted at school, and ask if you can have a copy of that particular policy as you were unable to locate on their website! Therefore ensuring the same mistake doesn't happen again.
The punishment has already happened, there isn't a lot to be gained from getting too upset about it now.

RedHelenB · 04/12/2012 18:11

How short - skinhead? Most schools do mention extreme hairstyles in their bumf