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Posted by on Feb 3, 2015 in NewsForKids |

Schoolboy Put in Isolation after Shaving Head

Schoolboy Put in Isolation after Shaving Head

A schoolboy who shaved his head to raise money for a cancer charity has been put in isolation for breaking uniform rules.

Stan Lock, 14, had a “number one” haircut to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support on Sunday after playing rugby. He was placed in isolation on his return to Churchill Academy in Churchill, North Somerset, for “flouting” school policy.

Friends have since set up a Free Stan Lock petition and Facebook page, while his JustGiving page has raised around £2,000 in donations. He had aimed to raise £100. In a statement on the JustGiving page, Stan said: “Unfortunately for me the head teacher at my school decided on Monday that my hair cut was too extreme and has placed me in isolation for at least the rest of this week.

“Whilst this felt like a punishment to begin with for doing something for charity the support that I have been given by other students, parents and the media has been fantastic and I don’t regret having my head shaved for Macmillan.”

His mother, Melanie Rees, told the BBC she was “incredibly proud” of what her son had done and criticised the school’s response.” I’d hoped the school would have shown some element of judgment and would have made an exception,” she said.” Stan’s been overwhelmed with messages of support from his friends.”

Churchill Academy’s website states that parents are urged to check with the school before pupils have an “extreme hair colour or style”. It states that any children who have an extreme hairstyle – including “very short hair” – will be placed in isolation.

Head teacher Dr Barry Wratten said the school was reviewing whether Stan should remain in isolation. The school’s policy is not under review. ” I do not favour speaking publicly about individual students or their families and will not do so now,” Dr Wratten said.

“I am happy to speak more generally: we have held a firm line against those who decide to flout our behaviour policies for many years – it is only by doing this can we uphold our standards and make sure we are fair to all. In the past parents have approached us about stunts to raise money for charity and we have been able to advise and work with them to avoid any difficulty.

“At times, some parents do not do this and do not advise their children of potential problems. As such in these circumstances they let their children down and place them in an unnecessarily difficult position and also undermine the authority of the school. It is always easier then to blame someone else – I and the school are an easy target when the fault lies elsewhere.

“Speaking generally, there are many ways to raise money for charity – most we will support; rushing into a particular way without thought is always likely to cause consequences.” Some people wish to avoid consequences by blaming others – I think this sends a poor message to young people. I have consistently held this stance and parents, generally, know we set high standards.

That’s why we expect them to have a dialogue with us before they allow their child to do something they may regret.”