'Extreme haircut': School defends decision to punish student for breaking rules

The 15-year-old's parents have defended the chop for a common medical reason.

A high school student who had a haircut to help with his severe eczema was suspended from school after teachers deemed the chop too 'extreme'. 

Strood Academy headteacher Jon Richardson said their haircut policy aims to bring "equality and focus."

But 15-year-old Liam's parents have been appalled that such action has been taken over a simple 'fade' - which he wears to cool his head so that his eczema can be calmed.

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"No extreme haircuts"

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)."

Liam's stepfather, Barry Sandman, said punishing Liam is "unnecessary and horrible."

Sandman explained Liam's hairstyle was a way of cooling his neck as his severe eczema worsens when he is over-heated.

According to reports, Liam had the close shave on September 21, and it went unnoticed until September 25, when the school decided to give him detention.

His mother went in to take him home, so Liam spent a day studying, then later visited the doctor, where he obtained a letter confirming his skin condition.

It wasn't until September 30 that he was allowed back at school, his hair deemed having grown out sufficiently.

His family said the haircut helped keep his head cool and avoided his eczema from flaring up. Credit: SWNS

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"It is a sensible haircut"

Speaking to SWNS, Liam's stepdad said the incident shouldn't have happened.

"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.

"It is a sensible haircut."

Head teacher Jon Richardson said in a statement:

"Strood Academy is committed to maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment where high standards of behaviour and appearance are upheld.

"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.

"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 statement concluded by confirming they are working with the student and his parents.

Originally published as 'Extreme haircut': School defends decision to punish student for breaking rules