My son, 3, was BANNED from class for having long hair – they’re ‘running a primary school like a concentration camp’
A MUM has described a school as being run like a “concentration camp” in a row over her son’s long hair.
Sophie Vernon-Jones had hoped to enrol three-year-old Kobie into Ramsden Primary School in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, for the autumn term later this year.
But after challenging staff over the school’s strict hair policies she was “absolutely gobsmacked” to be allegedly told the child would need to change his blonde curls, which run down his back.
The mum-of-two, 30, said she was allegedly informed Kobie would not be allowed on school grounds unless she agreed to cut his hair or permanently keep it in a bun at all times – which he hates.
Hairdresser Sophie claims she was asked: “What’s he got long hair for anyway?”
She said she was taken aback by the question, adding: “You wouldn’t ask a girl why she’s got long hair, so I don’t know why you’d ask a boy. It’s a question that shouldn’t be asked and doesn’t need to be asked.”
She continued: “In this day and age, if you identify as a cat that would be acceptable. It’s such a touchy ground.”
The Ramsden hair policy, as per the website, says hair must not be cut shorter than a number 2 grade.
It also adds, no shaved patterns, tramlines or hair dye.
It then says: “If a child’s hair is too long and is distracting them from working they will be asked to pin or tie it back.
“We would also like to inform parents that the style of having very short hair at the sides and back whilst having it long on top will not be regarded as a smart and sensible haircut.”
Sophie had initially gone to the school to get clarification on this policy, as Kobie has a couple of inches shaved under his long crop to keep it neat if he does wear it up – as well as giving him a “more masculine identity”.
Sophie added: “I’m not about he, she, they, identification. It’s either girl or boy, and he’s a very pretty boy.”
Technically, for Kobie wearing it up and showing off the shaved portion would be against school policy in the same way as wearing it down.
She said the school offered for Kobie to come to a parents’ evening later this summer so they can judge if his hair is acceptable, which she rejected.
She claims they said if he arrives in September and it does not fit the policies he will be escorted from the premises.
Sophie is considering writing a letter to the school governors.
She said: “It’s not a prison, it’s not the army, it’s not a camp, it’s a school. I get being smart and sensible, I fully condone that, not that it matters… But to say you can’t have your hair long and in that style, I think it’s just discrimination.”
School uniform rows
Skyla Tomlin, 13, was continuously taken out of class for wearing black Nike Air Force Ones to Mayfield Senior School in Portsmouth after being diagnosed with a stage three ingrown toenail, mum Laura claimed.
Headteacher Ashley Howard said the school provided Skyla with new shoes “to help her manage her condition, at our own cost” and continues to help her family find footwear “in line with our school uniform guidelines”.
Pupils at Sheringham High School, in Norfolk, had to “miss lessons” because of a bizarre uniform row which saw their shoes confiscated in September last year.
Headteacher Alastair Ogle said that trainers have not been allowed at the school since 2018 and added that no children were sent to isolation for their footwear.
A massive row over uniforms at Hartsdown Academy in Margate went on for days with a ‘Gestapo’ headteacher refusing to let kids inside for flouting the strict dress code.
Headteacher Matthew Tate today appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain to defend his decision to close the school gates on pupils, and said the majority of parents back him.
Parents were furious after the headteacher at Heworth Grange School in Gateshead changed their children’s school uniform four weeks into the new term in October 2019.
Marc Doyle, Executive Headteacher said the decision was made after consultation, with every student gifted a new tie for free – while the old polo shirt could be used for PE.
Parents of pupils at Ryders Hayes School in Walsall were outraged after their children were being humiliated and their lockers ‘raided’ for not wearing a school’s logo in September 2018.
The school said changes were made in response to pupils coming in with large coats and bags – while the uniform change was made in consultation with parents.
Gill Long took on Heckmondwike Grammar School, in West Yorkshire, over its ‘extortionate’ £165 uniform price in July last year and won.
Headteacher Peter Roberts said at the time there was a “minor difference of understanding” and the school would be responding to the Department of Education in “due course”.
In contrast to Kobie, his brother Kylo, one, has straight dark hair like dad Luke, and has a short back and sides cut.
Changing to a different school from their first choice for Kobie has proven difficult at such a late stage.
Sophie has found one she considers “more inclusive” which does not have such strict hair policies, and whose head was “mortified” by what Ramsden told her.
But she said there’s a “50/50 chance” of him being able to start in September and she may now have to home school him for a year.
The Sun has contacted Ramsden Primary School for comment.