Shropshire schools ban 'extreme' haircuts

More than three quarters of Shropshire's secondary schools have introduced a ban on "extreme" haircuts to control the soaring trend for 21st century crops, it was revealed today.

A Shropshire Star investigation has revealed that policies have become widespread amid a growing vogue for statement styles.

But the move has come under fire from parents who say policies are "confusing" because they are open to interpretation.

She may be only 10 years old but Willow Smith's Whip It single was an internet sensation and the daughter of Hollywood actor Will Smith is now a style icon.

But her rise to the top, helped by dramatic tresses, alongside other mini A-listers, has left schools, parents and teenagers in Shropshire facing a headache over haircuts.

An area of personal taste and prone to be influenced by changing trends, the policing of haircuts has become an area of potential conflict.

Schools are having to update and introduce policies on hair - leaving parents with a tricky dilemma when faced with their teenager's demands for freedom of expression.

A Shropshire Star investigation has revealed that more than 75 per cent of Shropshire's secondary schools have now specifically banned "extreme" haircuts but the exact policies differ from school to school.

At Bishop's Castle Community College staff ask all students to wear their hair off their face in practical activities or whenever asked to do so for safety reasons with a simple band or slide.

Church Stretton School has a similar policy listed on its website and also dictates that any hair colour should be natural.

But schools such as Lacon Childe, in Cleobury Mortimer, go one step further in outlining their stance on the issue on their website.

"Extreme hairstyles, cut and colour are not allowed on any occasion. Examples of these include close shaved, braided hair, colouring and highlights," adds the official rules.

Other schools in the county do not carry specific details of a policy on hair within their uniform listings.

Councillor Stephen Burrell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People in Telford & Wrekin, said: "Each school's governing body is responsible for determining policy on school uniform and style. These differ from school to school. Good practice is to publish the rules in a school's prospectus so parents can see what is expected before a child applies.

"If a parent has specific issues or concerns these should be raised with the head in the first instance. If parents are still not satisfied they have the option of referring the matter direct to the governing body of that school."

In Shropshire, all schools also set their own policies.

Debra Barrett, a mother and hairdresser who runs the Rizzo salons in Shrewsbury and Telford, said she believed some schools were taking the clampdown too far.

"My daughter has grown up in the hairdressing world, but never had any problems with the way she had her hair. In salon we are finding that young teenagers are wanting to experiment with their hair more.

"We always check with parents first but it's not easy for them. Showbiz children such as Mel B's daughter Phoenix and Will Smith's daughter Willow have very funky styles and youngsters want to follow them. Surely their hair shouldn't be too much of a distraction, behaviour is much more important."

Josh Humphries, of Dreams, based in Madeley and Shifnal, said he agreed that finding a "suitable" haircut for a young person of school age during the past few years had become a contentious issue between parents, young people and schools.

"As fashions change and become more radical, schools are becoming increasingly stringent with the rules.

"I have however noticed that these rules are somewhat grey."

Headteachers in the county called on parents to use common sense - and seek advice if they were not sure what was allowed and what was banned.

A statement by Richard Tillman, assistant headteacher at Meole Brace in Shrewsbury, carried as part of website guidance to parents, advises them to approach the situation with a degree of common sense.

"For example, it is evident that we would not encourage extreme hairstyles or outfits more appropriate for weekend wear. We are aware that fashion styles and trends change frequently and therefore parents in any doubt can contact the school for advice."

Peter Lowe-Werrell, assistant headteacher at Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth, said having a uniform policy which included hair was there to prepare students for the world of work where they may have to adhere to a strict dress code in certain jobs.

He maintained it was not a new problem as schools previously have had to tackle issues with such trends as punk and mohicans but he added that the school was always available to advise any parents who were in doubt about what was acceptable.