A furious mum has pulled her son out of school in response to "drastic" rules, after the 14-year-old was put in isolation because his tramline effect and short hair went against policy.
Leon Anderson had his first post-lockdown haircut last Saturday with a number one underneath, two on top and a 'tramline' in between.
His mum, Claire Anderson, 37, of Gorleston, Norfolk said her son was "really happy" with the do.
But when Leon went to school on Monday morning, at Lynn Grove Academy in Great Yarmouth, his mum was told his new haircut was "too short" – and the child was put into isolation.
The school rules do not allow hair styles shorter than a number two clipper length, and state that shaved stripes or tramlines are not permitted.
They insisted that Leon spend two days in isolation, without being allowed out at breaktime or lunchtime, as well as serving a 30-minute detention for two days in a row.
But mum-of-four Claire was so exasperated with the school's "drastic" rules, that she has now pulled Leon out of school over the way he was treated.
She says she will now be keeping him at home until his hair has begun to grow back.
Claire said: "I think it's very unfair and extreme of the school to have put Leon in isolation just because of his haircut.
"If he was in the incorrect uniform I could understand it a bit more. But the length of his hair is not going to affect his schoolwork – and I told the school that.
"They said the haircut was against their policy – but I think they should reconsider their policy to make it a bit more lenient.
"It took a lot for Leon to even go to the hairdressers, because he's been really anxious about going anywhere after Covid has been about.
"I had to reassure him that it was all very safe and clean.
"But now that the school have reacted like this, it's really knocked his confidence. He feels like the school is against him."
Claire has kept Leon out of school this week after he was put into isolation on Monday, and he has been doing schoolwork online.
But she said: "I've asked for them to send him some more schoolwork to do at home, but they won't do it.
"They want him to come back into school, and still complete the two days of isolation.
"My thoughts are just to keep him off until his hair grows out a bit – but they're threatening me with a fine now if he doesn't come back to school.
"I'm not very happy about it all. I feel like the school has overreacted to his haircut."
The school principal, Ms Mobbs, said: "Our policies are really clearly communicated – through assemblies, form time, online and by letter – to students and parents.
"We believe that it is very important that school rules are upheld. We believe smart presentation is important for children's future success.
"And our policy hasn't changed in about 10 years."
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