A furious mother has labelled her son’s school ‘cruel’ after he was banned from a Christmas carol concert because of his ‘extreme’ haircut.
Khai Okojie had to stay in class at Ellenbrook Community Primary in Salford, Greater Manchester, yesterday while his friends sang carols at a nearby church.
His parents claim the eight-year-old had been practising his singing at home in readiness for the concert and the whole family had been looking forward to the event.
But the school said Khai was not allowed to represent the school after he got a trim over the weekend, because his appearance failed to ‘uphold the high standards set by the governors’.
Khai Okojie had to stay in class at Ellenbrook Community Primary school because of his haircut
Khai’s mother, Jo labelled the school ‘cruel’ and said the whole family had been looking forward to the council
Khai’s mother, Jo, a teacher at a primary school in Bury, said: ‘The school has no Christmas spirit at all. It is so cruel.
‘Khai had been practising his singing at home and was really looking forward to the concert. He was excited too, as I was able to attend for the first time.
‘His dad, Dasuki, took him for a haircut at the weekend. I do not think it’s extreme, which is what the school say. It is curly on top and short at the back.
‘The school called me to say he could not go to the concert. I explained that I had been looking forward to seeing him in the concert and it was unfair to punish me too.
‘Khai’s friend, who is in the same class, has a very similar haircut, I think it is very, very, harsh the way he has been treated, to stop a child going to a Christmas concert because of his haircut is ridiculous.
‘The school where I teach is far more easy going about this kind of thing and he would never have been banned.
‘I got a letter in May from the school when he had a similar cut, saying it was not acceptable – but that was seven months ago – and Khai’s dad was unaware of the school policy on this.’
Ellenbrook Community Primary banned Khai from the concert while his friends sang carols at a nearby church
The eight-year-old’s mother said he had been practising for the concert at home
The school, in Longwell Avenue, has recently achieved a grading of ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
The school website says, regarding haircuts and appearance: ‘Any styles which cause a potential health and safety issue will not be allowed nor will any style/accessory which is not formal school wear or causes a child to be the subject of embarrassment, teasing or argument.’
Rules state fashion haircuts are not allowed and children should not have their hair cut in any extreme styles, or ‘shorter than a number 3’.
The school adds: ‘Tramlines/patterns, highlights/colours/ military styles; steps or ‘undercuts’ (two different lengths) in the hair are not allowed.
‘It is at the discretion of the Head Teacher to ask parents to change the haircut if it is thought inappropriate.’
Chair of governors Suzanne Charlesworth said: ‘The school has a very clear dress and appearance code which clearly states children will not be allowed to represent the school in sports, school productions, outings, assemblies or photographs etc. until their appearance upholds the high standards set by the governors. We do regularly remind parents of this.’
Ellenbrook Community Primary has been contacted for comment.