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.

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."