I think kids not being allowed to dye their hair at school is taking the rules too far
After a 10-year-old girl who was banned from her school in Bispham for dying her hair to emulate her favourite musical artist and thus breaching uniform policy, countless people waded in on the matter.
While some came out in support of Evie Smith, who has been unable to join classmates at the start of term after she split-dyed half of her mousy brown hair blonde to match her favourite Melanie Martinez ahead of her concert in Manchester later this month, others insisted that rules are rules.
Karen Appleby, headteacher of Kincraig Primary School in Bispham where Evie is a student, defended the school’s uniform policy, saying: “On occasion, pupils do arrive at school with hairstyles or uniform that don't meet our policy.
"When this happens, parents are contacted and we ask them to make the necessary alterations. In regards to this case, it is important to clarify that Evie has not been suspended. Our priority is to have our pupils learning in class with their friends."
Evie’s mum April Smith says that the school said her daughter’s hair was "distracting" to other pupils and she can only return when she dyes it back. April, 35, explained that Evie won't be changing her hairstyle until she'd seen her hero in concert and that she is currently home-schooling her daughter.
Following the publication of our original story on the matter, countless members of the public weighed in. Here are a few of their takes…
Bryony Jade
It's starting to baffle me as an adult with 2 school-age children how I have the right to express myself in the workplace but they don't at school…
Tim Danks
Whether it has an effect on learning or not, schools have rules and it is a good preparation for life to conform. It certainly is not good parenting to use a child to flout the regulations.
Nicola Pattrick
Life is full of rules we all have to follow. You should be teaching your child how this is part of life and not how to be defiant and lose precious educational time. Mother needs to give her head a wobble and buy some more hair dye.
Pam Henderson
Does the colour of her hair impact on her studies. Is it clean and off her face. I think it's taking the rules too far.
Ann A Pothecary
She should be made an example of. We couldn't dye our hair in the 80's why should it change now? Kids need to remember they are kids, they cannot just do as they please. There are reasons for dress code and conformity at school. Be a rebel by all means, I was, I certainly pushed the boundaries. 2 weeks before summer hols, I shaved my head, mum actually wouldn't let me to school, so win win for me. I've always been alternative, but I do understand the reasons school is this way. Time to express yourself in dress, when in 6th form or college. Kids are too full of their own self importance these days.
Hezzie James
Personally, I don’t have a problem with the girl’s hair and I think it looks great. I hear what people are saying about school policy and rules, but I would suggest that they’re too rigid. In my opinion the school should be sticking to its uniform policy and issues around safety. Hair colour and hairstyles should exist outside those boundaries. Even kids with big hairstyles can sit at the back of class, so as not to obstruct views, or hair can be tied back in certain classes for safety issues. Let the kids enjoy their school days!
Lisa Hunter
My daughter dyed her hair blue during the school holidays. Day before start of new term we dyed it back as close to her natural colour as we could. It’s all about respecting the schools policies and teaching your child to do the same. In my job I can’t wear jewellery or nail polish. So I don’t
Rob Cunliffe
It’s also important to let children express themselves. They are not all copies of each other. Yea to making them wear uniforms but hair cut and colourings? Bit far for me.
Julie Jools Holland
Good on the head - school should give young people a basic understanding of real life and in real life there are rules and regulations that should be adhered to, it's all part of learning that "entitlement" to do what the heck you want doesn't always work!!