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!

But why should the school feel "entitled" to dictate hairstyles? It has zero to do with education and if anyone has a problem with longer than collar hair then they would benefit from more education.

I know a boy with very long hair who got all As, plays in the school orchestra, his supportive parents are on school committees they're fantastic fundraisers; they're slightly unconventional. They all have gorgeous long hair. What an asset to that school that family is.

It seems that a lot of assumptions are made about boys who don't have short hair.

DS' school had a problem with drugs. Everyone knows about it. Very very smartly dressed pupils though. School is very strict about wearing blazers. Strange priorities IMO

Anyone else wondering if the op is currently at the barbers?

DS' school had a problem with drugs. Everyone knows about it. Very very smartly dressed pupils though. School is very strict about wearing blazers. Strange priorities IMO

Exactly.

Our catchment secondary is shit. It always was shit they rebuilt the Damn think changed the head changed the uniform etc.

It still achieved shit exam results. Uniforms are just polishing a turd half the time. Sort out the real issues

The school my DD attends have very relaxed rules on hair and are sensible on uniform - hair has to be tied back for certain subjects and can only be dyed colours that occur in nature, so no blue, green, purple etc. Painted nails are allowed, jewellery has to be minimal. Uniform is worded so as not to be gender-specific and yes, some boys did turn up in skirts this summer term just gone when it was hot. No-one batted an eyelid, school is looking at introducing a shorts option if it's wanted.

It's a good school with good behaviour and good results despite a very mixed catchment with some areas of very high deprivation and crime. Common sense works.

And yes, there are many countries in Europe which do better than the UK re educational outcomes and don't have uniforms. It's a shame so many schools prioritise style over substance.

Doesn't sound like OP is in Scotland as the son is 13 and secondary school starts at 11 / 12 years old.

So, either somewhere with middle / upper secondary schools, or a private school.

FrancisCrawford Have you not heard of advance search?

Or advanced search even.

Why should little boys go round looking like little girls? Life is confusing enough as it is.
You're right, it is confusing for a small number of people of extremely limited intellect. Perhaps if you could find someone to explain it to you; a small child would probably be able to help you with that.

Actually on her post on the vegan thread she did say her son was 13 and of course incredibly gifted!

It says "we are a vegan family, my son has been vegan from birth" - singular, not plural.

I could suggest that her son shaves his head to further improve his swimming - would that help?

From the first post before he goes up to secondary school this year

So, moving from primary to secondary.

Some schools start at 13yo, Eton for example.

I would tell the school he's coverted to Sikhism.

Or maybe they've moved area and it's a new secondary school.

Scrap that last post, OP does say he's moving up to secondary so I guess not a new area.

And some state areas have middle schools. Unsure of ages but it's primary, middle then secondary.

It really pisses me off that people say so dismissively "just cut his hair". Girls aren't made to have short hair, so why should boys. It's not a bloody health and safety issue.

My DH has hair longer than me. He has had long hair from a young age. When he was moved to secondary school he was made to cut his hair. He still remembers that now, and is irritated by the injustice of it. He lasted 2 days at that school before he moved to another (which did allow long hair).

That is ridiculous.

What about kids with dreadlocks?

I don't live in UK with those ridiculous rules I remember seeing kids with blue-dyed hair once in PRIMARY school (it was a temporary thing). No-one batted an eyelid.

Just5minswithDacre

"Only if he's a practising Sikh."

Wrong, just has to tell them and identify as a Sikh and he should be allowed under religious rules.

NavyandWhite Re dreadlocks

"What about them? They wouldn't be allowed."]

Wrong they have been fought for an allowed under cultural grounds.

both the Sikh and dreadlocks fights always depend on how much of a fuss the school is prepared to put up.

Just FYI, your DS will have to be prepared to put his hair up for DT and Catering/cooking/HE.