A furious mum has hauled her son out of school after he was allegedly placed in isolation for two days because his post-lockdown haircut broke the rules.
Leon Anderson, 14, had his first trim since restrictions were eased last Saturday with a number one underneath, two on top and a 'tram line' in between.
His mum, Claire Anderson, 37, said the youngster was "really happy" with the do - but when he arrived at school on Monday staff allegedly said the cut was "too short".
Claire said Leon was forced to spend two days segregated from other pupils because the Lynn Grove Academy in Great Yarmouth does not allow styles shorter than number two.
They allegedly banned the youngster from having a breaktime or lunchtime, as well as making him serve a 30-minute detention for two days in a row.
But mum-of-four Claire, from Norfolk, was so exasperated with the school's "drastic" rules, that she has now pulled Leon out of school over the way he was treated.
She says she will now be keeping him at home until his hair has begun to grow back.
Claire said: "I think it's very unfair and extreme of the school to have put Leon in isolation just because of his haircut.
"If he was in the incorrect uniform I could understand it a bit more. But the length of his hair is not going to affect his schoolwork - and I told the school that.
"They said the haircut was against their policy - but I think they should reconsider their policy to make it a bit more lenient.
"It took a lot for Leon to even go to the hairdressers, because he's been really anxious about going anywhere after Covid has been about.
"I had to reassure him that it was all very safe and clean.
"But now that the school have reacted like this, it's really knocked his confidence. He feels like the school is against him."
Claire has kept Leon out of school this week after he was put into isolation on Monday, and he has been doing schoolwork online.
But she said: "I've asked for them to send him some more schoolwork to do at home, but they won't do it.
"They want him to come back into school, and still complete the two days of isolation.
"My thoughts are just to keep him off until his hair grows out a bit - but they're threatening me with a fine now if he doesn't come back to school.
"I'm not very happy about it all. I feel like the school has overreacted to his haircut."
The school principal, Ms Mobbs, said: "Our policies are really clearly communicated - through assemblies, form time, online and by letter - to students and parents.
"We believe that it is very important that school rules are upheld. We believe smart presentation is important for children's future success.
"And our policy hasn't changed in about 10 years."
