Micheal Marsden's mum is so furious at plans to 'isolate' her son as punishment, she has kept himoff school.

When Michael, known as Mickey, came home with a new short haircut his mum thought he looked smart but his teachers didn't agree.

Uniform rules at Our Lady's Catholic High School in Fulwood, Preston, stipulate that "extreme hairstyles" are not allowed and anyone breaking the rule is subjected to a day working away from the rest of the class as punishment.

Micky, who lives with his mum Debbie Foye and his three brothers and sisters, in Threefields, Ingol, was subjected to isolation for an identical haircut a few months ago.

But on Tuesday his mum refused to allow him to be kept from his peers and kept him at home, insisting he looks "smart".

She said: "He has a number two on top and a number one at the bottom, with a bit of a fringe at the front. I think he looks smart but the school said it was not a sensible haircut.

"I had an argument with them last time, so my partner took him into school this time and they said it wasn't a sensible haircut. "They said he would have to go into isolation.

"It is not fair to put him in isolation so he came home and they said he could go back (the next day).

"His hair had grown quite long and it starts to go to a peak and people take the Mickey and it looks scruffy.

"I don't understand why it should affect his education."
Debbie, who also has an 11 year daughter at Our Lady's, said she thought the school was being "ridiculous" and acting unreasonably.

Mike Fitzpatrick, deputy headteacher at the St Anthony's Drive school, said Our Lady's was proud of its uniform.

Although he said he couldn't comment on individual pupils, Mr Fitzpatrick added: "We have very high standards of uniform and appearance, which are well supported by parents.

"As far as hair styles are concerned we ask for no extremes and that is explained to the children and parents. We have to draw the line somewhere.

Normal punishment is a day's isolation as we ask parents to work with us on these matters."

Mr Fitzpatrick said short hair was not banned but added the general rule was that if more hair than scalp was visible then that was acceptable.

The same rule is enforced at all schools in the area and also requires girls to tie long hair up.

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