A mum has said a school's alleged decision to exclude her son over his hairstyle has left her "baffled" - as he has had it for years.

Tyrelle Richards was barred from Ellis Guildford School on September 6 because of his locks, mum Charlotte Carruthers said.

The pupil, 15, has his hair plaited and shaved at the sides - which the school have said is not acceptable within a new set of rules.

And Charlotte, 35, claimed she has been told that Tyrelle cannot return to lessons until his hair has grown or he changes styles.

She told NottinghamshireLive : "He's always had the same hair cut, ever since he joined the school in Year 7.

Do you have a story? Have you experienced something similar? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.

"Other students have similar hairstyles and nothing has happened to them, it feels like it's just against my child

"I have no idea why they've done it. It makes no sense to me.

"How can a hairstyle stop a child from learning?

"To me whether you've got dreadlocks, wearing a turban or are bald how does any of it affect your ability to learn at school?

"That shouldn't affect anything in my eyes.

"They didn't give a reason other than it was new school rules on hairstyles, but I'm not aware of any new rules."

Ms Carruthers, from Aspley, Nottinghamshire, says other parents at the school she had spoken to also had no knowledge of new rules.

She added: "I've said he isn't taking his plaits out because that's a hairstyle, because he has curly afro hair if he takes them out it'll look even shorter anyway .

"It's bizarre, it's really baffled me and angered me as well."

Ms Carruthers said that the school told her they were going to call her on September 7 and that she had contacted the school's head teacher.

The mum-of-three said her son was annoyed by the exclusion and even wanted to move school.

She added: "He missed out on Year 10 because of Covid and now he's been kicked out because of a hairstyle.

"During his most important year as well, it makes no sense.

"He's just said he wants to move school because he feels like he shouldn't have to change his hair to be able to come to school, and I totally agree.

"He's upset, I know that. His friends have even gone on social media and posted a picture asking why this happened."

Ellis Guildford School declined to comment.

Sign up for our daily newsletter to keep up to date with all the essential information at www.mirror.co.uk/email .