Kid goes to High Court over haircut.

[Pufflette]

I read in the newspaper several weeks ago and it was also featured on the radio that a fifteen year's old hair was two inches too long. On refusing to get it caught the headmaster suspended him from school. And now his father is taking the issue to the High Court because it's a breach of Human Rights and cutting his air would cause him to be depressed. Do you think that father is ruining his life? I mean in the working world if you don't like something then the boss tells you not to come back the next day. And if contractually they can't just fire you that way then, as my cousin found out, they will certainly find a sneaky wayof doing it.

[weeal]

I think its ridiculous that a child could be suspended for the length of his hair.

In the working world its due to the personal opinion of the boss/company but schooling shouldnt be like that, it should allow for individuality to a certain degree. Long hair isnt all that bad is it? I could see the point if he was wearing aggressive slogans or whatever.

[EngTeach]

This is another example of parents allowing children to break the rules and have no consequences. If the school has a clear, written policy regarding appearance, by registering your child there you agree to support the rules.

In our schools, (NYC) there is a strict policy against Cell phones and other electronic devices. ( I personally disagree, but understand the issues it can cause in a classroom). The way the parents and kids disregard this rule is unbelievable. It is always on the news here. As if this is the #1 educational concern we have.

This boy with the long hair should be punished accordingly and the judge who hears the case should fine the father for wasting the courts' time.

[david1702198]

i dont think it should be anybodys right to dictate what hiarstyle someone should/should not ahve. personally if it were my son id be right up at the school to kick the teachers balls.

[rojash]

Perhaps the headmaster should spend more time worrying about the kids' education and less about asserting his authority over trivial matters.

[ludwig]

I completely agree with EngTeach.

[redcrx]

surely the parent should be finding a way to get that child back into school asap, not dragging it out further!

[Goodsoulette]

Make him tie it up in a ponytail. If it's one rule for the girls and another for the boys then its disgusting. My brother got suspended for shaving his head when he was 15, on top of the slapped legs he got in his sleep when my mum found out he did it.

I am sure when he has to stand on his own two feet that he will realise its not anything goes. I had pillar box red hair when I was at college and that hasn't remained.

I agree with rojash, if it's not going against his safety and in a ponytail its safe enough for any job so its safe enough for school, in my opinion.

[B00]

If the school has rules and regulations regarding hair styles and lengths then yes it's well within its right to suspend the boy.

Throughout life we all have have rules, laws etc which we have to abide by- it's called life, about time the lad in question got used to it.

As for making him depressed if it's cut, rofl- what a crock of poo!

[redcrx]

B00, it didnt do Samson any good did it?? :)

[B00]

Well yes, have to admit that Samson was probably on a bit of a downer after Delilah (the jezebel) did that to him.

[Tichfield]

So, getting his hair cut would depress him would it?

If I was him, or his parent, missing out on my education would depress me even more.

[Fay Mousse]

I am appalled that so many people are aware of their rights and totally ignorant of their responsibilities.

That child has a right to attend that school as long as he adheres to the rules. The parents should be supporting the school, not mollycoddling this boy.

The parents have a legal obligation to get that boy into school and educated.

Going to court is a stressful business - aren't they concerned their child will be stressed and depressed?

Perhaps they should have found a more liberal school which is more in tune with their laissez faire attitude.

[Fay Mousse]

This is the news report:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/educati on/article3239516.ece

The child is at school and it is the school that is taking the case to the High Court, not the father.

[Pippa68]

I do have a problem with school rules concerning haircuts and colours but I wouldn't go to court over it.

In fact lots of school rules are pathetic. Why should my son be put into detention simply because someone nicked his shoes and he had to wear trainers the next day?

The mind boggles...

[Goodsoulette]

Why is his long hair a problem though??? WHat os the issue, its not that its a bloody great big mohawk coloured purple and green, it's normal long hair. If I Was his mum I would liase with another school and see if they were happy to have him their as long as it was tied back at times they felt it had to be, even if that meant between 9 and 3.

and Pippa I would have had a moan about that too. I wouldn't have let him do the detention.

[Pippa68]

I didn't, Goodie :o)

I also agree with you about the hair.

[B00]

Surely though goodsy that when you enrol your child at any given school you are bound by the schools rules and regulations? I'm presuming these are set out from the onset (been a while since Teen Boo was at school, so a bit hazy on this!). If you disagree with any of the rules then, THEN is the time to say something. You can't suddently disagree with them as and when the whim takes you.

In my previous office job we weren't allowed to wear tops that didn't cover the tops of our arms- a daft rule granted, but one that we had to adhere to.

Rules and regulations are a fact of life- ya have to agree to them.

[Pippa68]

There isn't anything in my sons school literature regarding hair length ~ which is why a lot of the boys have long hair, and all of them have it tied back whilst in school.

There was a part about coloured hair. Hair must be a natural colour ~ basically meaning that if you dye your hair black that is ok, but purple or red is a no-no ;o)

There was also part about uniform and shoes. There was a time when the kids could wear trainers as long as they were black. The rules changed the following year, and I adhered to them. However wearing trainers in an emergency, for one day, shouldn't be a punishable act. They made no attempt to investigate the theft of my sons shoes either!

[Tha-Flash]

Since when does having your hair cut make you depressed. Maybe if it was the other way -- hair too long and needing to have it cut.

Honestly though. That school sounds stupid, suspending someone for the length of their hair.

[B00]

By the sounds of it though pippa (did you have a good Crimble & New Year by the way?) this particular school does have regulations about the length of boys hair.

Agree The flash- it does seem a bit extreme- but if its a rule that hair has only got to be of a specific length, and a pupil doesn't adhere to this- what else is the school supposed to do?