My son MUST have HAIR CUT for secondary school!

[strewthy13]

We have been informed that we MUST get our sons hair cut before he goes up to secondary school this year. If we don't the school will refuse to let him attend. We have written to the school and quoted the sexual discrimination act etc but they will not budge. The school rules say hair no longer than the collar and will not be tolerated. Hair off or him off. We are really not happy about this and needless to say our son is devastated to say the least. Our child has had long blonde hair since he started to walk...thoughts and ideas would be very much appreciated. If anyone has had the same experience that would be helpful too!

Unless he has fuck you shaved into the back of his head the hire is none of the schools bloody business.

And if girls can have long hair boys can. Imagine your dd being sent home as her hair was too short.

Fuck that.

OP, There are more important things to worry about than the length of a child's hair. Do your son a favour, tell him to get his hair cut and get on with it. Surely you don't want your child to grow into a precious little entitled snowflake?

That hair is someone else's body and no one has the right to dictate what someone does with their body.

Up for h&s should be enough.

It's all utterly ridiculous. Especially sixth form "business dress". Have you see the average undergraduate? Yet they seem to manage in work after graduating. OP, I'd be devastated that such a stupid rule was affecting my son's choices.

There is plenty of evidence both ways, Judy and nothing conclusive, but:

www.isus-ltd.co.uk/blogs/news/10650585-smart-school-uniforms-linked-to-academic-success-of-uks-schools

It seems that a strong uniform policy is particularly helpful in raising standards in less well-performing schools, because of the impact on discipline and expectations.

Sikh boys are irrelevant here, tbh, because they keep their long hair up and covered either in a knot or a turban. It bears no relation to boys who want to wear their hair long or in a ponytail.

I know lots of people get very het up about the rights of their boys to have long hair, but personally I think dress codes are a necessary introduction to the world of work, so you should suck it up. Also, a short haircut on boys always looks smarter. Always.

That's not just sexist but racist, many Sikhs do not cut their hair at all. Some Jews see having side locks as part of their faith.

And it could be religious discrimination - Mohammed was said to have hair to his shoulders and some Muslims allow their hair to grow.

I would be tempted to send him with his hair in a bun at the back, above collar and see what they say.

DS2 had the most glorious long hair from 11-17, no issue at school with this, other than (as with the girls), it needed to be tied back in some classes for safety. There is no reason why the school should be able to dictate the length of a child's hair, make or female.

Stupid rules shouldn't be followed just because they are RULES. They should be challenged.

Also I think the Sikh case will be relevant. If it's a boys only school then any Sikh boys will have topknot or turban, your son should be allowed the same.

Only if he's a practising Sikh.

There's nothing wrong with politely arguing the case for tying it back on common sense grounds.

Also, a short haircut on boys always looks smarter. Always.

This is an opinion. Not a fact.

Firstly I will say that I just would not send my DC to a school that had such prescriptive rules on hair. I know of some where hair can't be too short either. I think hair should be allowed to be any way you want it as long as it is tied back for safety reasons when necessary.

However, you chose this school for your DS and you therefore agreed to the rules of the school. Move him elsewhere or get the hair cut.

That's not just sexist but racist

No it isn't. Unless there is no provision for religious exception in the rules.

It's a very sensible rule. Why should little boys go round looking like little girls? Life is confusing enough as it is.

You honestly can't have written that with serious intent? Are girls not allowed short hair or to wear trousers in case of confusion?

SO WRONG.

Challenge it OP. He can have it in a ponytail if they're worried about nits. I work in a secondary school and I can say hand on heart I think this is bullshit. The girls can have their hair as long they like!

Also to the posters saying - if you don't like the rules, home educate - jog on. Have a cup of tea pet, and get off mumsnet will you? When the rules are a) RIDICULOUS and b) discriminatory, they're not there to be blindly followed.

Ds looks far better with long hair than short.

Also to the posters saying - if you don't like the rules, home educate - jog on. Have a cup of tea pet, and get off mumsnet will you?

I don't agree with 'you can home educate' as an answer to this one either, but we're going to start folksy shit and ordering each other off the site when we disagree now, are we?

Sweary bun fights work just fine, thanks.

Bring back grammar schools and instill some proper discipline. We don't want to create a generation of long haired entitled snowflakes

Thankfully we have you to raise the ne t generation of cuntychops