UK principal defends stance on 15yo’s ‘extreme haircut’

A principal has defended his school’s strict haircut policy after a 15-year-old student’s hair was deemed “too extreme” — despite it being done to assist with a medical issue.

A principal has defended his school’s strict haircut policy after a 15-year-old student’s haircut was deemed “too extreme” — despite it being done to assist with a medical issue.

Liam, who attends Strood Academy in southeast England, has severe eczema and due to the irritating skin condition had his hair cut into a “skin fade”.

But, as a result, he was removed from class and placed in a behavioural unit as 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).”

His stepfather, Barry Sandman, has labelled this “unnecessary and horrible”.

He said it was his stepson’s way of cooling his neck — adding the condition had flared up due to the “stress” of being taken out of class after three days of attending school with the haircut.

The following day, he was placed in a behavioural unit until his mother took him home. On the Friday, he was at home doing lessons and visited a doctor to get proof of his condition.

A principal has defended his school's strict haircut policy after one pupil's skin fade for his severe eczema was deemed too 'extreme'. Picture: SWNS

Liam’s hair was deemed to have grown long enough over the weekend and he was allowed back in classes on the Monday.

“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,” Mr Sandman fumed.

“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.”

He said Liam has had the same haircut for years, providing a medical reason to the school but because it doesn’t specifically say the teenager needs a skin fade “the school did not take that into account”.

Mr Sandman claimed he had called the school more than 18 times without an answer, claiming principal Jon Richardson is “avoiding” him.

But, the stepfather does have a meeting with the principal locked in and is also planning to launch a formal written complaint.

However, in a statement, Mr Richardson said: “Strood Academy is committed to maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment where high standards of behaviour and appearance are upheld.

Liam's stepfather has been left furious. Picture: SWNS

“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.

“The academy has a clear and well-established dress code, including guidelines on appropriate hairstyles, which is communicated to parents and students at the beginning of each academic year.

He said that the guidelines were in place to promote a sense of equality and focus.

“We are in communication with the parent and have offered a meeting to discuss their concerns in more detail,” Mr Richardson added.

“We always take into consideration any specific circumstances, including medical conditions, and seek to work collaboratively with parents to resolve matters.

“At this time, no formal complaint has been lodged, and we continue to engage with the parent to find an appropriate resolution.”

Originally published as UK principal defends stance on 15yo’s ‘extreme haircut’