My son MUST have HAIR CUT for secondary school!

Those are the rules and frankly, his education is more important than his pride. Get it cut. It will prepare him for life - you don't always get what you want and there are rules to be adhered to in the workplace and throughout his life.

Whilst I am all for inclusion and whatnot, why does every discussion that hinges on gender create a bunfight and people scream sex discrimination. I dont know anywhere IRL that it seems to crop up so much as on MN

Maybe your son would feel better about it if he did as my ds mate did and donate the hair, then he can feel he did something positive & helped someone else.

Really?

That's shocking. What sort of tyrannical institution is this school? Why on earth should it have any say in your DS' choice of hairstyle? Can't it handle the expressive/non-conformist/rebellious/hippy types? Shame on you OP's DS' school!

I hope this school is equally strict about more important things.

I bet the school authorities just love it when a parent spouts off about the sexual discrimination act

Who cares if they love it? They don't have to love it, they have to adhere to it.

FFS if no-one ever challenged unjust and unreasonable rules we would still live in a world where women can't vote, where slavery is legal and where homosexuality is against the law. To all those who say 'well, it's the rules' - do we really want to raise a generation of sheep? It's a rule without reason, it should be challenged. If girls are allowed long hair, albeit tied back, the same should apply to boys.

Apologies for the huge errors in my post...probably should check before I post!

I bet the school authorities just love it when a parent spouts off about the sexual discrimination act. Do your child a favour and tell him to get a hair cut. There are more important things to worry about.

You nee. To follow the rules just like everyone else. I work in an all boys school with the same rule.
As for trams gender he would be able to attend an all boys school as most don't have the facilities to allow for derogate changes.
Follow the rule and get it cut or change schools simple.

Get his hair cut, he has plenty of time to grow it longer again when he grows up!
My ds best friend had lovely long hair, never cut since very young, but his he & his parents knew that the school required his hair to be short, so it was cut and his hair was donated to a charity which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment!

What have Sikhs got to do with it?
Because many Sikh boys have long hair.

If they are granted a uniform code exception so that they can observe Kesh, then that's a religious exception.

But thank you for clarifying that religious exceptions are an option for boys with long hair. I was not aware of this.

I can't see the problem so long as he has it tied back or in a bun for practical lessons. Length rules are ridiculous. The length of his hair doesn't affect his learning in any way. It's petty authoritarianism and I don't see that as a necessary or beneficial aspect of schooling. Challenge it.

Is it an all boys' school? With no Sikh's?

What have Sikhs got to do with it? If they are granted a uniform code exception so that they can observe Kesh, then that's a religious exception.

Can he not have a pony tail ( sensibly banded), tucked into the neck of his shirt?

Rules are there for a reason ( heath & safety for instance but not exclusively) and there are usually compromises to be met.

You might well have a case for sexual discrimination, but I do think you need to act in a responsible 'adult' way about it ( ie no daft thing like ribbons)

Ivydale rules are there to be challenged not blindly followed

Did you not know the rules when you chose the school? Or have they only recently imposed it?

Is there another school he could go to or will you have to home educate? It seems an extreme reaction given that he will probably want to cut it soon anyway. I would just get him to tie it up properly or cut it.

Ds has long hair. Atm he attends an on line school/home ed. Where the length of his hair has been an issue with schools in the past he has been referred to the girls rules on long hair that it must be tied back. Only one HM has ever said he needed to cut it. He agreed to it reluctantly but it became like a barrier between him and the school. He left after a year for other reasons and it took him 2 years before he summoned the confidence to go back into school environment.

Hair for some is linked to their confidence.

What if he was trans gender? Would they be able to keep the rule if he was pre op for example? Get him to turn up with big bunches with ribbons!

Going to school is about education, part of that is learning to follow the rules. Even ones we don't like. Maybe you should home educate.

My son was told the same 3 years ago, that he had to have it cut. We still haven't managed to go to the barbers! They have girls with waist length hair who tie it up (sometimes grr) so he just wears his tied up. They can't discriminate like that. What is the schools policy on girls with long hair? He should be allowed to decide how he has his hair, after all how is long hair going to affect his ability to learn.

if the school is traditional on this issue you might find that this is the beginning of a long acrimonious relationship that will impact on your son
Is it a trad boys grammar school kind of thing?

That's ridiculous.

I could see why they would have a hair tied back rule especially for certain lessons but not a length rule.

It should be the same for boys as girls.

Man buns have come into fashion now.

you knew the deal when you signed up
get it cut

I'd be surprised it they didn't let him have it in a ponytail, plait or bun (depending how long it is) to keep it above the collar.

Contact Board of Trustees or whoever tops the persons that wrote the letter. It is an absurd rule and your son should not be made to change his hair in order to attend school. Long hair is acceptable for girls, it should be the same for boys.

Is it an all boys' school? With no Sikh's?