A headteacher has defended his school’s hair policy labelled as strict after a boy with severe eczema was punished for his skin fade as it was deemed ‘too extreme.’
Strood Academy headteacher Jon Richardson says their haircut policy aims to bring ‘equality and focus’ to pupils at the Kent school.
But now the parents of a 15-year-old Liam who has eczema have slammed the policy after he was removed from class.
They said it was ‘ridiculous’ that Liam was removed and placed in a behavioural unit due to his skin fade – which he wears to cool his head due to his skin condition.
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).’
However, Liam’s stepfather, builder Barry Sandman, 47, said that it was ‘unnecessary’ and ‘horrible’ to punish him for his skin fade.
Sandman explained Liam’s hairstyle was a way of cooling his neck, as he suffers from severe eczema which gets worse when his head is hot.
He added that his stepson’s eczema had flared up recently due to the ‘stress’ of being punished by his school.
The teen visited a barber shop on Saturday, September 21, and remained in lessons until Wednesday, September 25, when he was told his trim was in breach of the rules.
He was placed in the behavioral unit the next day, before his furious mother took him out of school.
Liam spent Friday at home doing school work and later obtained a doctor’s letter confirming that he suffers from eczema.
He was allowed back into class on Monday, as his hair was deemed to have grown out long enough, the stepfather said.
But he says that Liam should have been exempt from the rules.
‘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,’ he 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 continued.
‘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.
‘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.
Sandman claimed he called reception as many as 18 times and no one answered.
He said that he will make a formal complaint.
The stepfather said: ‘It’s horrible. Children need to feel happy and confident while they’re learning.
‘His eczema is why he has short hair. Something needs to be done.
‘Children are being victimised and picked on.
‘Liam’s neck had flared up when he went to the doctor and she said it was down to stress.’
Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common condition that causes itchy skin. All age groups can be affected by eczema, but is most common in young children.
It cannot be cured, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.
Atopic eczema can appear in different parts of the body, but it’s common on the elbows, knees and hands. In babies and toddlers, it’s also common on the face.
Atopic eczema can make your skin:
Symptoms can start at any age, but they usually start in babies and young children and tend to get better as they get older.
There are often times where your symptoms get worse (called flare-ups) and times where they are better.
But Mr Richardson says there will be no changes to the school rules.
He 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.
‘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.
‘These guidelines are in place to promote a sense of equality and focus across the academy.
‘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.
‘At this time, no formal complaint has been lodged, and we continue to engage with the parent to find an appropriate resolution.’
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