SCHOOL'S OUT
I’ve been branded ‘UK’s strictest headteacher’ for kicking pupil out for their haircut – I don’t care I have standards
The pupil suffers from a medical condition
A HEADTEACHER has been branded the 'UK's strictest' after booting a student out of school over his haircut.
Despite parental uproar, Jon Richardson from Strood Academy in Kent has refused to change the rules.
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Liam, 15, was placed in a behavioural unit due to his skin fade, which he allegedly has to ease his eczema.
His stepdad Barry Sandman explained that his hairstyle was a way of cooling his neck to stop flare ups.
The youngster's condition has worsened due to the "stress" of being removed from class - but Mr Richardson isn't budging.
“Strood Academy is committed to maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment where high standards of behaviour and appearance are upheld," he told The Sun.
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“These standards are consistently applied across the academy to ensure all students are prepared for learning and that our school community remains focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for every child.
“We are aware of concerns raised by a parent regarding a student who was placed in the academy’s behavioural unit following concerns over the length of his haircut, which did not meet the academy’s uniform policy."
He explained that the academy has a "clear dress code", which includes "guidelines on appropriate hairstyles", which he says are communicated to parents and students.
Noting Liam's condition, the head teacher said that the school will work "collaboratively" with his parents.
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“We are in communication with the parent and have offered a meeting to discuss their concerns in more detail.
“We always take into consideration any specific circumstances, including medical conditions, and seek to work collaboratively with parents to resolve matters.
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“At this time, no formal complaint has been lodged, and we continue to engage with the parent to find an appropriate resolution."
The school's policy states: “No extreme haircuts. eg: Skin fades, graphics, lines and must be a minimum of grade one cut (senior leadership teams discretion)."
Mr Sandman says punishing Liam for his haircut is “unnecessary” and “horrible”.
He also said that he'd called reception as many as 18 times without getting an answer so has decided to lodge a formal written complaint.
The teen visited a barber shop on September 21, and remained in lessons until September 25, when he was told his trim did not meet guidelines.
He was placed in the behavioural unit the next day, before his furious mother marched into the school, which is part of the Leigh Academies Trust, and took him home.
Liam spent Friday at home doing school work and later visited the doctor, where he obtained a letter confirming his skin condition.
We are aware of concerns raised by a parent regarding a student who was placed in the academy’s behavioural unit following concerns over the length of his haircut, which did not meet the academy’s uniform policy
Jon Richardson
He was allowed back into lessons on September 30, as his hair was deemed to have grown out long enough, Mr Sandman said.
But the 47-year-old says his stepson should have been exempt from the rules due to his eczema.
He said: “Something needs to change as Liam shouldn’t be missing out teaching time in his final year of GCSEs for a haircut that looks smart.
"It’s not like he has a mohawk, massively long braids or blue-dyed hair...
"If he had dreadlocks that were bright pink that would probably be fine.
"It is a sensible haircut. Pretty much every teenager in Medway has a similar haircut.
“Professionals have similar trims and it would not stop him from getting a job.
“Plus he has his haircut like this as he has suffered from eczema for years and the skin fade keeps his head cool during the autumn and summer months as the heat from wearing a blazer, shirt and coat makes him sweat and irritates his skin.
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“He has been having the same haircut for years and we have provided the school with the medical details but because it doesn't say explicitly that he needs a skin fade the school did not take it into account.
"Him being taken out of class for this is ridiculous and unnecessary. It did not stop him or other kids from getting on with their work."
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