School issues ban on spiky hair
PUPILS at a city school staged a protest after they were banned from having spiky hair.
St Peter's Church of England Aided School in Quarry Lane has told students that if they defy the ban their parents will be contacted and appropriate action will be taken.
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Headteacher Mark Perry
Headteacher Mark Perry said spiky hairstyles did not conform to the school's dress code.
But the ban has led to protests among some students, who claim it is unnecessary.
One student from St Peter's, who asked not to be named, said: "All the boys have been told if we keep using hair gel or wax we will get expelled, so we have been made to comb it out of our hair.
"The toilet has been full of boys trying to get wax out of their hair.
"How does our hair style affect our learning? We are very upset.
"No reason was given for the rule and we were told that it was not up for discussion."
A female student said: "The school has a rule that your hair is not allowed to be spiky and stick up at a 90 degree angle.
"Teachers have said if boys do spike their hair up they can get excluded from school rooms and maybe sent home.
"The school says their hair looks messy but I don't think it does.
"It was announced at assembly that anyone coming in with spiky hair would get sent home, but students came with spiked hair anyway."
She said some students launched a short silent protest against the rule.
Manesh Sivlal, 16, chairman of St Peter's student council, said: "We were in constant talks with the head to resolve this.
"We thought it was a major issue at the time.
"The school has said no outrageous hair styles, but the view of the student council is that everyone should be able to express their feelings, their looks and their individuality, and that includes having spiky hair.
"We have now come to a compromise with the school."
Mr Perry said that students and parents were made aware of the school's dress code when they chose to apply for a place at St Peter's.
He said: "A sensible dress code helps engender the sense of community and identity which contributes to St Peter's being one of the highest achieving and most over-subscribed secondary schools in the county.
"We have not banned hair gel but some of the more exotic hairstyles which it is used to create."
He added that the protest in the field involved just two students.
"A small number of students decided to extend their lunch hour and stay on the school field, but returned to lessons soon after speaking to a member of staff," he said.
"I have spoken to representatives of the student council. We are all very disappointed that a small minority of students chose to escalate something which is never normally an issue and we have agreed a way to ensure a reasonable enforcement of the dress code."
Hairdresser Libby Tucker, of Space, in Cathedral Green, said: "I think kids have an individual sense of style again and that's really nice to see.
"A lot are cutting and colouring their own hair, and experimenting with different styles and fashions, and I think it's healthy to have that individuality. I'm seeing more and more of it."
70 Comments
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by Simon, Campbell
Thursday, January 07 2010, 6:58AM
“It's not "discipline," it's dogma.”
by Coookie darling, Exeter darling
Saturday, October 25 2008, 7:55PM
“Well basically i rang up gemini f.m :)
cuz im beastly like that ,
but tbh if i didnt do that nothing wouldnt have got sorted , so tbh i think it was a good idea
Cheers gemini fm :)
And Express and echooooo
and the sun”
by jazzy, exeter bays
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 12:09PM
“basically i wasnt here but i think this rule is stupid y shud we get told off for makeup n hair gel wen teachers wear it i think all rules shud be banned so yh thats my opinion x”
by izzy, exter, devon
Friday, October 03 2008, 2:00PM
“i think this is a stupid rule !!!
i thought the make up bann was bad enough but this haha rediculous !
Get a GRIP !”
by Smiley, Exeter
Friday, October 03 2008, 1:40PM
“Clearly (though thankfully with one or two exceptions) the standards of spelling, punctuation and grammar have been maintained at St. Peter's since 'sos for school pupils, cambridge' left.”
by sos for school pupils, cambridge
Thursday, October 02 2008, 6:52PM
“I went to st peters high school, and used to pride myself on the fact i did. when we were in the old building there were none of these stupid rules and regulations, but since the new school building they have become power hungry. quite frankly the spiking of hair is the least of the schools issues, ask them about other insane things they have put in place, that waste vauable staff time,and privacy of students: girls loos doors bolted open (not the cubicals) so staff can see if their putting make up on, yet the boys don't have them open. not allowed to go inside the school building, at one point they were even stopping children from going to the loo at lunch!! the school has finaly lost the plot, and the parents i talk to arn't happy with the way it is. school is about education!! i am now at university and one of the top in my class, st peters helped me gain this, but by teaching me, not inspecting my school uniform and the way i look!! I think i turned out fine, but im watching these children turn into clones!! people at exeter college have said they find it interesting seeing st peter's school children settle in, they find it hard, they don't know what to do with themselves, from going from such a strict enviroment to basically no restrication, this is when people go to the extremes, and do stupid things. they are causing problems in the future for these children. Teach the children don't conform them into clones!!”
by izzy, exeter
Thursday, October 02 2008, 2:17PM
“Haha i think its stupid relli !!!
plus with the make up bann as well i thought thatwas rediculous !!!
x”
by Child Development Group (Year 11 :p), Exeter
Thursday, October 02 2008, 2:15PM
“hi, this is from the child development group in year 11 (: we think this is a ridiculous and a pathectic rule that Mr. Perry and Ms. Cusion has brought in and all the girls should come in with spikey hair and all the boys with foundation and mini skirts. (:”
by Ro and kate, exeter, Exeter
Thursday, October 02 2008, 2:15PM
“hello there
me and katerin think this is rather silly!
whhyy? WHHYYY?
i where loads of products n my hair! :S kate doesnt have eny hair....
byee”
by Emma, Exeter
Thursday, October 02 2008, 1:00PM
“I think that this rule is absolutely ridiculous! My younger sister is currently in year 9 at St Peters School and every day she is coming home with another rule that Mr Perry has put down. I think over the past couple of months there was a ban of earrings, jumpers, not allowed in school at lunch time, make up and now hair gel... does he not have anything better to do?! He is not advertising the school very well! I am not sure why Mr Perry has got it into his head that hair gel or spikey hair are affecting his pupils' education. He is also affecting the relationship with his pupils. He is just embarrassing himself, once again!”