School Rules on Afro Hair

[RedWingBoots]

Just heard the Equality and Human Rights Commission have told schools that they need to make uniform exceptions for afro and other ethnic hair styles otherwise penalising them in their uniform rules will be unlawful.

Good.

Do they say ‘uniform exceptions’? Surely the policies should be intrinsically inclusive and recognising of the full range of hair types rather than a policy which requires exceptions?

Link to Guardian article - www.theguardian.com/education/2022/oct/27/schools-in-great-britain-warned-not-to-ban-minority-pupils-hair-styles

I found this after hearing the news on the radio.

It’s taken until 2022?

All I feel is sick with fury and disgust.

I don’t understand why schools object to corn rows or braids. (I am white so don’t know all the subtleties). But everyone I see with them, it looks smart and neat and practical. Are they worried that white students will turn up with their hair in braids? And if so, why would that be a bad thing? (I get it could be cultural appropriation, I am just thinking from a school uniform policy viewpoint).

I don’t often see students with Afros, but the argument that it stops other students from seeing seems a bit daft. The 6ft 4 boy also does that but that is ok, and classes cope. The teacher needs to adapt the seating plan if necessary.

Our local secondary has instead proactively said all hairstyles are allowable for a while now. The kids must love it because in addition to specifically allowing any afro hairstyle, they are also allowed to dye their hair any colour, boys long, girls short etc. (Still have to tie it back during science practicals etc.)

My DC went to a comprehensive in S London with a huge diversity of students. The only rule about hair was that it had to be a ‘natural hair colour’ . So anyone was welcome to dye it blonde or black, auburn, ginger, or whatever, but not blue or pink, for example. No rules about style. And all hair rules applied equally to everyone, whatever sex or whatever characteristics, in terms of tied back for science etc.

Why do schools make life so difficult for themselves and everyone?

And the racist approach to hair in schools has been publicised for years. Shameful that it has taken this long.

Being talked about on LBC now.