school crack down on hair colour

[mrsfuzzy]

new school year and problems already! ds is 14 and like a lot of girls her age experiments with her hair, for the first time during the school hols she tried a semi permanent raspberry colour on her red hair [god knows why- ex p let her do it] anyhow i was cool with that as it doesn't look that obvious, as she washes it it becomes less obvious, however school are cracking down on these things make up, uniform etc as they did last year, but she brought a note home yesterday saying to remove the dye or steps will be taken, i wasn't fazed by this as each wash reduces the colour, but how do people 'get away' with flouting the rules about such things one girl has dyed her hair jet black with blue streaks over the hols and mum told me she is not going to remove the colour for anyone, one lad keeps one side of his head shaved in spite of repeated warnings, mum says she ignores them, i accept the school policy that's not the problem but aibu to wonder why it seems the 'easy targets get picked on' to set an example? any thoughts or similar experiences anyone?

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

Them muslims get away with everything, don't they? We're foreigners in our own country these days.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

Balls, that was to amothersplaceisinthewrong. And it was sarcastic.

[curlew]

It's PC gorn maaaaaaad I tell you.

[GhostsInSnow]

I do actually work in a school (I'm a contracted technician in a school that isn't the one DD attends). They have had a real clampdown since moving premises. The art department head who I work closely with used to have great hair, pink, purple, really expressive as you'd expect from an art teacher. Now its plain old brown and she's gutted.
In new rules the staff also have to wear a blazer/jacket at all times whilst in the corridors but they can be removed, along with the pupils blazers, in class.
They are all usually very well turned out kids though. They do have the odd one with non compliant hair but as long as blazer is on and shirt tucked in the staff tend to overlook it. There are bigger battles to be had.

The difference though in that school and DD's is that uniform policy applies to everyone. It matters not how loud you are, or your parents are, it matters not whether you are top set or lower sets. There is no discrimination or 'easy targets'

[daftdame]

CharlieHunnansOldLAdy There will always be extenuating circumstances though.

For example with skirt length a girl might have sustained an injury and have a nasty scar and be self conscious about it, having a slightly longer skirt might make it easier. A child might have sensory issues which would make the overheated feeling when wearing a blazer is insufferable. Another child might react to the polyester material and have to have a slightly non standard blazer.

Relaxing of the rules a little means that these kind of situations can be overlooked without over legislation of the policy.

[daftdame]

Oh and one person's extenuating circumstances will always be another's discrimination.

[MrRected]

Ds1 still has to wear a straw boater to school. The Dean would be totally overcome if any of the boys arrived at school with dyed or shaved hair.

They aren't even allowed clipper cuts!

[daftdame]

MrRected They don't have to do much to rebel then!

[daftdame]

I remember feeling very daring in my Constance Carroll pink lipstick and blue eye-liner at secondary school. I nearly fainted when one of the teachers said my make-up looked very nice!

[GrimmaTheNome]

DDs sensible school has a choice of skirt (with a pocket even and different lengths) or trousers.. And jumpers not blazers - they actually look smarter. I think the minimum skirt length is set so that they have something to rebel against by rolling up the waist! Its comfortable and practical - the girls don't seem to mind it. Perhaps not having boys around makes them less bothered? Which brings us to one of the reasons for rules... some of the dressing and dyeing is really not about 'self expression' is it? It's about tarting yourself up trying to attract the opposite sex. And surprise, surprise its mostly the girls wasting spending their time and money on it.

[snowlie]

I seriously have little respect for schools and their silly bloody rules about make up and hair. Focus on education, manners, attitude at school....see beyond superficial appearances, teach kids to do the same by example.

I suppose all these pointless rules and banning fairly harmless stuff gives teenagers harmless stuff to rebel against, but you'd think the HT would have better things to do.

And I used to get away with a very outlandish hair do as a teen by spending my time on the corridors dodging the HT. The rest of the teachers couldn't care less, they were more concerned with teaching.

[littlemog]

If it's the school rules you should abide by them or get your daughter in to a school with lower standards where silly hair colours are allowed.

Some of you state school parents would faint with 'horror' if you knew how strict some of the indies are with regards to appearance and dress. It's about simple respect and having a pride in your school.

Our lot are not allowed makeup ever and only allowed a stud earring when in the 6th form. Hair has to look natural (and is almost always cascading waves) which must be tied up until the 6th form.

[specialsubject]

probably not worth the school arguing about stupid hair colours. Teenage years are the time to look stupid.

probably is worth arguing about a ton of slap which wastes hours every morning, and also means endless touchups during the day. (I watched 'The Call Centre' last night, some silly female with so much mascara on she could hardly see. What a laughing stock!)

[snowlie]

I would have thought the private schools were acutely aware of their need to have a polished school image in order to successfully sell their very expensive school places - that fact alone would suggest to me that their rules need to reinforce their corporate image to sell, sell, sell rather that reinforcing true values. The state sector doesn't have the same requirement.

[NoelHeadbands]

Our school is strict about its uniform policy (no blazers though thankfully) but has no policy regarding hairstyles. Which is fine by me.

My 12yo DD is now dying her hair- I've asked her not to bleach it, and not to go jet black (she is v pale) but at the end of the day it's her head and she can do with it as she pleases

[littlemog]

I would have thought the private schools were acutely aware of their need to have a polished school image in order to successfully sell their very expensive school places - that fact alone would suggest to me that their rules need to reinforce their corporate image to sell, sell, sell rather that reinforcing true values. The state sector doesn't have the same requirement

You sound rather bitter here and a bit uninformed tbh.

[daftdame]

Appearances can be deceptive...

[littlemog]

but at the end of the day it's her head and she can do with it as she pleases

I find this an odd position for a parent to take but assume that you have made it clear to her that there are not many barristers with blue hair etc.

[daftdame]

littlemog What happens in the private school you are talking about regarding extenuating circumstances, or are there none?

[littlemog]

Forgot to say that I mean it's an odd position for the parent of a child who is only 12.

[littlemog]

What would these extenuating circumstances be daft?

[daftdame]

As I posted above:

There will always be extenuating circumstances though.

For example with skirt length a girl might have sustained an injury and have a nasty scar and be self conscious about it, having a slightly longer skirt might make it easier. A child might have sensory issues which would make the overheated feeling when wearing a blazer is insufferable. Another child might react to the polyester material and have to have a slightly non standard blazer.

Relaxing of the rules a little means that these kind of situations can be overlooked without over legislation of the policy.

[littlemog]

Sorry daft missed the end of your post. I have not come across extenuating circs but if there were genuine ones then I am sure they would be considered and discussed with parents.