A PREFECT was sent home from school - for having a palm tree shaved into his close-cropped hair.
Nathan Tayo will not be allowed back to Stamford High School, Ashton under Lyne, until his hair grows again.
He was sent home after turning up with palm trees and other patterns shaved into the stubble.
The 15-year-old, of Queens Square, Ashton, was told it was not part of the "dress code".
His parents said they were not aware of any rules regarding hairstyles - or they would not have allowed him to have his head shaved.
Mum Julie Shaw said: "He let his hair grow and used '12.50 from his paper round spending money to have these patterns created.
"He'd only been in school 10 minutes when they told him it wasn't suitable.
Patterns
"They told him they'd sent two boys home because they'd had offensive patterns shaved on their heads, which I can understand. But these patterns aren't offensive, or I wouldn't have allowed it.
"He's grown his hair long before and had it in twists, which was far more way-out, and the school didn't bother about that."
Head teacher Paul Jacques said: "His haircut is against the school dress code and must be put back to a suitable style within the guidelines before he returns.
"I've had a meeting with Nathan and his dad and explained that surely the value of education is more than the price of a haircut."
Should Nathan be allowed back into school? Have your say.
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Hayley, Eccles, Manchester (27/01/2005 at 12:35)
Dan, City centre (27/01/2005 at 15:29)
Annie, Chorlton (27/01/2005 at 17:06)
I long ago stopped believing that schools were establishments of education.
The reason the government have interfered so much in the past 15 years is because they need willing clone workers.
Nice suits and hairdos... noce little families.
Given the putrid nature of uniforms, you can't blame an INDIVIDUAL for trying to express individuality, in a modern and harmless way.
Flory, Portland, Oregon (27/01/2005 at 23:54)
Are they harming other people because of their hair? Are they posoning our environment, because of their haircut? Are they hurting people because of their weapons? What gives? It's all fun, a way of expression.
I don't think he should be banned from school!
People, loosen up!
v tayler, mancherster (28/01/2005 at 21:55)
Sue, Salford (29/01/2005 at 19:10)
(1) Immediately a child is recognisable as belonging to a specific school.
(2) Everyone wearing the same uniform - possibly even from the same supplier - means that that one child isn't turning up for school in the latest (and most expensive) designer gear, whilst it's classmate is turning up in a generic outfit.
Looking at the young man concerned with the haircut, I would have thought that he could wait the remaining months until he finished school before deciding how he wants to express himself.
Annie, Chorlton (03/02/2005 at 17:20)
In answer.. (1).. Why would you want to identify a child with a school anyway, other than, of course, to exert control over them. (And I still say they are putrid). Maybe you should be controlling their behaviour a bit better, rather than worrying about their fashions.
(2).. The "designer label" arguement has been done to death, and has no relavence to this issue.
Whether or not he WANTS to wait is the issue, Sue.
Why should he? It's his head and his choice. I have a far bigger problem with the quality of teaching basic skills to pupils than some lad's haircut.
Get a grip, luv... (I'm 40, so don't tar me with the brush of ignornace either)
Danielle, Southampton (30/07/2005 at 18:44)
Josh, Chicago, IL (12/08/2005 at 22:12)
Amy Smith, Brookfield, Wisconsin (12/08/2005 at 22:20)
tim, teesside (16/08/2005 at 10:14)
daniel hunt, canada now preston be4 (25/01/2006 at 20:11)
the role at my school was the hair must be all 1 leanth so i shaved my head with a bick razor and wolla they dident like it at school .its all 1 lenth now