12-year-old boy isolated after mother gave him ‘summer cut’

A schoolboy was put in isolation because his haircut was too short. Mum Katie Burton, 31, gave her son Harry Currie, 12, a second class discount for the summer.

But the youngster was not allowed to enroll in the rest of year seven at Teesdale School, in Barnard Castle, when he turned up for classes the next day. Instead, she was told she would have to study in a separate room and could be reunited with her classmates when her hair grew back, Katie claims.

Mum-of-five Katie, who works as a barman, from Barnard Castle, Durham, said: “I was really shocked. I did grade two all over because their policy says no grade one or less and says no short. lateral and long above.

“I was very careful to stay within the school’s hair policy. It seems very unfair. She just wanted her hair short for the summer.”

Katie cut Harry’s hair on May 7 and said he was separated from the other children as soon as he entered school the next day. He was put in a room with other children who were not in the class. Katie had no idea what happened until Harry got home and was upset, she said.

Harry said: “I was very worried at first. I didn’t know why they asked me to wait outside the class.

“Then they asked if I did it for a medical reason. I was told I had to wait there until my hair grew back. I was very confused.”

The school called Harry’s haircut “extreme”. Katie has kept Harry at home since the incident and said she is looking for a new school for him.

She said: “They failed in their duty of care to him. It’s disgusting. No one called to say he was in isolation. I found out when he came home very upset. I couldn’t believe it.”

A spokesperson for the Northeast Learning Trust said: “As stated in our uniform policy, which is available online and shared with parents, extreme haircuts are not permitted in the school. If students do not meet our school’s expectations, sanctions will apply. While we cannot discuss individual children in the public domain, we have an open door policy and are more than happy to discuss any matter in person.”