Dad angry after school puts son, 12, in isolation over 'extreme' Easter haircut

A furious dad says his son is being discriminated against by his school after he was put into isolation over his Easter break haircut.

James Cullen was stunned after receiving a phone call from St Andrew's Catholic School, in Leatherhead, Surrey, saying his son Jacob's new hairstyle was unacceptable.

He was told his 12-year-old was being placed away from fellow classmates because of his blond highlights and grade one shave on the side of his head, the Mirror reports.

The parent, who has spotted female pupils with similar highlights at the school, says he doubts his child "would have been treated the same way by teachers if he was a girl".

"In the meeting I had with the school, his head of year suggested that he shave his head," said Mr Cullen.

"I don't believe for a minute if he was a female pupil that they would have said that."

The school denied the suggestion was made during the meeting.

Jacob's blond highlights led to him being separated from his class. (Surrey Live / Darren Pepe)

Despite the protests, the isolation continued up until Monday April 25, at which point he threatened to keep Jacob at home if it continued.

The school replied saying that the isolation would end from Tuesday, as they felt the need to draw a line under the matter.

The 12-year-old's isolation has ended but his parent are not willing to draw a line under it yet. (Surrey Live / Darren Pepe)

"I don't want to draw a line under it, I've just started," said Mr Cullen.

"What we need is consistency, the rules need to apply across the board.

"I've dropped Jacob off at school every morning for the past seven months, and I've seen lots of female students with bleached blonde hair."

St Andrew's Catholic School punished the boy for his Easter holiday haircut. (Google Maps)

The school's uniform policy, as stated on its website, says: "Extremes of fashion in clothing, footwear and hairstyle are not permitted. Hair colour and style must be appropriate for school.

"Dyed hair is not acceptable. Number 2 is the shortest cut allowed."

Headteacher Alan Mitchell denied that the rules are applied differently for male and female students, and said that the school's rules are explained clearly to parents in the months before their child is admitted.

"Parents would expect me to apply the rules fairly and consistently," he said. "We made the rules crystal clear, and we know that's what is best for the kids."

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