Schoolboy removed from class over 'extreme' haircut he needs for medical condition

Liam, 15, was removed from his classes due to his recent haircut - but his fuming parents say he needs the skin fade due to a medical condition.

The parents of a teenager removed from classes due to his 'extreme' haircut have slammed his school over the move, claiming he needs the style to manage a skin condition.

Liam, 15, was removed from his lessons at Strood Academy due to his stylish trim. His headteacher, Jon Richardson, said their haircut policy aims to bring 'equality and focus' to pupils at the school in Kent.

But Liam's furious parents have blasted the rule as 'ridiculous', 'unnecessary' and 'horrible' - saying their son needs the haircut to cool his head due to his eczema.

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 stepdad, Barry Sandman, explained Liam's hairstyle was a way of cooling his neck, as he suffers from severe eczema which flares up when his head is hot. As reported in the Mirror, the teen visited a barber shop on September 21.

He remained in class for four days until he was told his trim did not meet the school's guidelines. He was allowed back into lessons on September 30, as his hair was deemed to have grown out long enough.

But Mr Sandman argues his stepson should have been exempt from such rules due to his skin condition.

The 47-year-old said: “Something needs to change as Liam shouldn’t be missing out on 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.

"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."

Mr Sandman claims he phoned the school's reception 18 times without any answer. He now plans to lodge a formal written complaint. He also claimed headteacher Mr Richardson has been 'avoiding' his calls, but now finally has a meeting at the school next week.

He said: "They are refusing to talk to me. The headteacher has been avoiding my calls. 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.

"This headteacher makes all of the children line up in the morning and the lines have to be perfect. It's regimental style... They have uniform checks every morning. Liam's neck had flared up when he went to the doctor and she said it was down to stress."

Headteacher Mr Richardson, who oversees more than 1,300 pupils, confirmed there will be no rule changes.

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."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.