School policy on facial hair for 12yo

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Just wondering if others have had similar experiences.
I have been in a back and forth discussion with my sons school on his (limited) facial hair. He is mixed ethnicity, a bit of an early developer puberty wise, and has a noticeable light moustache as well as some hair on his chin. Multiple teachers have asked him to shave but when I checked the school dress code there is no mention of facial hair.
School have told me it’s their policy and they can’t make exceptions.
I think it’s OTT for 12,13,14 year olds - they are just kids going through a perfectly natural process of development.
According to the school I am the only parent that has ever had an issue with this policy,

AIBU?

My son is of course completely oblivious and doesn’t know what the fuss is about - but he also doesn’t want to shave.

It’s a private school if that makes a difference?

You missed my point about policies that have the end result of discriminating against certain racial or ethnic groups by requiring modifications/styles that make appearance conform to a Caucasian norm.

I didn't. That's why I commented that it depends at what point a uniform code becomes unreasonable.

This is a complex area of law. Having rules that are discriminatory is not necessarily illegal. The question the courts have to consider is whether the rules are a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. In general, the courts have accepted that most uniform codes meet this test, even if they include measures that appear to be discriminatory against certain groups. So the question is at what point a uniform code goes too far and no longer meets this test. At that point the uniform code is unreasonable and can be challenged.

Attempting to use human rights legislation on this point is likely to fail. Decisions of the European Court (which is nothing to do with the EU and will remain the ultimate authority on human rights issues even after we leave the EU) are clear that the central question is choice, but not in the way you might think. Schools can impose rules that may limit pupil's rights, partly because there is a balance to be struck between the school's rights and pupils' rights, and partly because parents have a choice as to whether or not to send their child to this school. If they don't like the school's rules they can send their child to any other school with places available, or home educate, or send their child to an independent school. I appreciate that these may not be genuine choices for many people but the European Court has been clear that the existence of such choices undermines the vast majority of attempts to use human rights legislation against schools.

Just to emphasise, I am not saying that the school in this case is acting sensibly. But, if they want to impose a ban on facial hair, the law is likely to be on their side.

I think you are right to challenge this. 12 is no age at all - kids shouldn’t be forced to join the adult world before they are ready to do so (and yes, this disproportionately affects BAME kids, which is problematic).

As a side note, my DD is 7 and is currently rocking a lot of body and facial hair (inc. an impressive monobrow, moustache and the beginning of a beard, plus hair from her usual hairline to her brow) as a side effect of a drug called cyclosporine. If anyone even mentioned this to her (or to me, unless it was her hospital consultant or other HCP from his department) I would be livid.

This is completely different to other aspects of uniform policy.
Slow hand clap to the school for making kids feel shit about themselves when they are already dealing with new changes to their bodies.

The law is only on their side if rules are actual rules, applied to all, and written, as opposed to an administration approaching one specific student whose ethnic heritage makes his facial hair stand out visually.

The question of a hostile environment comes into play too. If rules on hair mean that the natural growth pattern and behaviour of certain hair textures must be modified because a 'norm' of Caucasian type growth and behaviour is the only type accepted then a school has elevated the Caucasian type above the other.

I've just checked my Dd's school uniform policy. She goes to a state school where they have to be given permission to take off their jumpers. For beards and facial hair it simply says "Must be neat and tidy".

Why 'first time buyers' are despised and looked down on by other parents. Because they don't know the codes and they f things up. Fit in, or F Off.
But they are at least capable of independent thought

Surely it is discriminatory because some religious require a beard, such as Islam and Sikhism.