What's your opinion on this news story? Should this lad have his hair cut?

[Aero]

Here.

I know looking smart is important and in my schooldays the rule was the same as this school, but haven't we moved on from 20 years ago? Shouldn't tying it back (same as girls) be enough? Just interested to see what the majority think.

I seem to be in the minority but if those are the school rules and he chooses to go to that school then he and parents know what the rules are and should stick to them.

Boys with long hair are the best- I would make them all grow their hair

But I think the boy has the right to challenge those rules if they are discriminatory. It's a bit like saying that a firm will only employ men. They may be the rules but it doesn't mean they are right and shouldn't be challenged.

Just to play devil's advocate though... The school's attitude may be that the boy and his parents knew the rules when they applied to the school. Is this a similar argument as the girl who wanted to wear a jilbab (banned by the school) instead of a hijab (allowed by the school)?

but maybe he didn;t "choose" to go to that school. in any case schools (whether state or private) can't have carte blanche to make up any rules they like

like Freckle said - the govt has an obligation to protect us from certain things - including discrimination (though, having said that, I can't get too het up about hair styles...)

I don't particularly like this style and think it does look a bit messy but boy do I defend his right to have it!

Same rules should apply as with any girls with long hair at the same school.

Message withdrawn

Am with MrsKittylette....
fair enough schooluniforms exist and you know that before you start a Kid at whatever school if they have one or not, etc...but surely this is an extreme request...

fair enough , for Health and Safety reason it has to be tied back, etc....but that should be the end of it!

I really am very surprised by this. I didn't think state schools still existed that demanded boys have a certian length of hair.

There will always be some boys who want long hair so you are setting yourself up for a torturous battle if you have a rule like this.

Dh was not allowed to go to uni open days and was told my his headmaster he would amount to nothing all because of having long hair as a teenager. Makes me cross actually.

Now, as usual I haven't read the thread so will ctch up

lolol at mb's link to public school boy Rhys. Now his hairstyle really should be banned

That one did amuse me . 400 breaches of school rules and the little cherub wonders why they didn't want him in the sixth form? He gets to 16 and finanaly realised that his actions have consequences.

And his father gets to realise that having the money to take the case to court will not mean that he gets his way.

I think it is a diabolical use of court time.

Presumably they knew the school rules when they registered him there?

He should cut it.

tie it back. I have long hair cause I look stupid with it short. to have it all cut short would affect my confidence in my appearance and to be forced to do it would be awful. Im sure this silly issue is affecting his schoolwork and causing unnecessary tension within the school.

A guy at my high school had hair about the same length, and was told it had to be cut, as it shouldnt touch his collar - so he shaved his head except for two bits at the front which he left their original length! obv it looked stupid, but he kept it like that, just to make a point!

I think it's a stupid rule for a school to have. Normally, I'd agree with you cat

Well, there appear to be laws in this country (which I assume apply to NI as well) about sex discrimination. I am uncertain why some people seem to think that it is fine for a school to discriminate on the grounds of sex - which is what this school is doing. They can apply whatever rules they like, provided they comply with current law. This rule doesn't. It doesn't need a school council and governing body to decide that. It should be bl**dy obvious.

Excellent post, cat64! I agree with everything you say including your last sentence.

And that in no way changes the fact that I think it's a silly, sexist rule which should be done away with!

Freckle, I agree but I'm sure there's some clause or something in the sex discrimination act which gives schools some opt out regarding pupils. I think it was added to prevent single sex schools being forced to go co-ed.
(It may be an ammendment or something. I can't remember where I read it)

The sex discrimination act specifically states that schools, when deciding uniform and dress code, should not discriminate on the grounds of gender. The new guidance relates to other matters, but includes health and safety guidance that long hair should be tied back for science, etc.

If it was purely wanting to opt out of a school rule like wear a leather jacket instead of a school blazer or something I'd agree entirely that the rules were set and he should conform but I agree with the others that have said this is blatent sex discrimination.

If there is a rule for everyone then it should be obeyed (provided its legal) but in this day and age one rule for boys and another for girls isn't right. Rules about uniform should apply to either sex - so if a boy wants to have long hair he should be able to as a girl can, if a boy wants to wear a skirt for that matter he should be allowed if girls are allowed to. If the schools are truly trying to prepare the kids for adult life they should be setting a prime example that in real life sexual discrimination will not be tolerated.

Do they honestly think him having long hair will be detrimental to his ability to learn?
Agree total waste of time, and completely pointless.

I have not read all the posts, so sorry if I am repeating stuff here. At my school the head once said that uniform and hair rules are quiet forms of discipline. I taught in a school in Johannesburg where pupils were given the option to wear any colour top so long as it conformed to some extent to a certain style. Only about 7 pupils out of 140 did this. The rest all chose to wear the "official" white.

I prefer uniform etc, but that is my choice. I get really annoyed when parents and everyone else get on the bandwagon about uniform. Go to your school council en masse (as it seems such a unanimous and strong feeling) and demand that schools change or drop these rules. Too often parents talk about schools and teachers as though we are tyrants enforcing martial rule on everyone. Surely we live in a democratic country and parents have a say?

A few years back we asked our pupils what they wanted to wear. Most chose uniform and they ended up with sweatshirts and the usual trousers/skirts etc. Now they all want to wear blazers and ties. I know there have been quite a few posts in which the desire to express individuality was mentioned as a reason to not wear uniform. But in my experience if there is not an official uniform or hair rule, the kids end up wearing the same stuff anyway.

Talk to your schools!!!

Clearly the pupil and his parents in this case have spoken to the school, who responded by suspending him. All over a rule which breaches sex discrimination legislation.

I totally agree that this should never have reached the stage where the courts are involved, but the school seems to be intransigent in enforcing an illegal rule, so what choice does the boy have, other than to cut his hair, which he shouldn't have to do - unless they insist that all the girls have their hair cut too.

Our school rule is that all long hair (and this scruffy boy's hair would fall under that definition) has to be tied back at all times, including mufti days. We have no nits in school!

We have a few boys in KS1 who have long hair, and they have it wrapped with a school uniform topknot (turban for kids).