School bans pink hair girl

A Shropshire teenager was removed from lessons because she dyed her hair pink.

Lauren Pritchard, 14, was hauled out of class and sent to work on her own after turning up at the Grove School in Market Drayton with the brightly-coloured barnet.

She was told she would not be able to return to her lessons until she had dyed her hair back to an appropriate colour.

Her father today branded the school's action as "unacceptable". But the school's headteacher said rules about appearance were clear.

Lauren's father Peter Pritchard said: "The school have deemed it necessary to remove her from lessons resulting in her not getting an education until her hair is dyed back or it washes out.

"They call it a dress code issue – well so is the wearing of trainers or the wrong colour trousers but those issues are not treated with the pupil being removed from lessons."

Mr Pritchard added: "It was half term week last week and Lauren decided she wanted to change the colour of her hair.

"She went back to school on Tuesday and was immediately removed from her class and sent to sit and play on a computer from 9am until noon. I think the school's behaviour has been totally unacceptable."

Mr Pritchard said Lauren should have been told to change her hair colour back by the end of the week.

He added: "I don't understand why the school didn't have a quiet word with Lauren and give her a letter for my attention explaining the situation."

Headteacher Jane Radbourne said: "The school is very clear about its standards in terms of uniform, jewellery and excessive hair styles. We are trying to maintain high standards and as far as I am concerned, the matter is now resolved."

A county council spokeswoman said: "This is a matter for the school, governors and the headteacher to ensure that they are implementing their behavioural policy within the best interests of the school."

By Deborah Collins