Hartlepool boy escorted home from school for rule-breaking haircut

2:24pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

Robert Hudson, 12, with the £6 haircut that got him banned from his classroom Robert Hudson, 12, with the £6 haircut that got him banned from his classroom

A SCHOOLBOY was banned from his classroom over a controversial £6 haircut.

Robert Hudson, 12, had the hair on the sides of his head shaved off on Tuesday but the top and back were left untouched.

When he arrived at English Martyrs School in Hartlepool, Cleveland, the following morning after his trim, he was told by teachers that he wouldn't be allowed into class.

Teachers even offered to pay for Robert Hudson, 12, to visit a barber but his guardian refused.

They insisted that he would only be allowed to return if he had his hair cut into a more acceptable style and was escorted home within 20 minutes.

Staff at the school even offered to pay for a new haircut, but Robert's grandad and legal guardian Brian Hudson refused the offer and said he was 'livid' with the whole situation.

Mr Hudson, 58, accused the school of putting Robert's hairstyle before his education.

He said: "They say it is an extreme haircut. The member of staff explained because it is not level all the way round he won't be allowed in school until he gets it cut.

"They have even offered to take him to the barbers and pay to get it re-cut.

"I will certainly not let them do that. It annoys me to death. I am livid."

English Martyrs' guidance says pupils' haircuts are expected to be "reasonable".

Michael Lee, headteacher of English Martyrs RC School and Sixth Form College, said: "The school's hairstyle policy is in the school prospectus and on our website along with other policies to ensure that parents/guardians are well aware of the standards we set at English Martyrs.”

More Hartlepool News

Comments (32)

2:59pm Thu 7 Mar 13

maur1 says...

well done school to set a standard .
well done school to set a standard . maur1

3:33pm Thu 7 Mar 13

behonest says...

So pupils haircuts are expected to be "reasonable".

Has there been any consultation with parents as to what defines 'reasonable', or has the school just imposed their own view?
So pupils haircuts are expected to be "reasonable". Has there been any consultation with parents as to what defines 'reasonable', or has the school just imposed their own view? behonest

3:33pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Blankface says...

This is just so unbelievable, who in the right mind would pay £6 for a haircut like that.
This is just so unbelievable, who in the right mind would pay £6 for a haircut like that. Blankface

3:49pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Blankface says...

I wonder and many teachers have haircuts that are level all the way around, especially the females.
I wonder and many teachers have haircuts that are level all the way around, especially the females. Blankface

3:54pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Madadrian says...

"The interests of the child are paramount" is a phrase enshrined in legislation. This seems like the interests of some petty apparatchik are paramount.

You don't need hair to learn for gods sake!!!!!!
"The interests of the child are paramount" is a phrase enshrined in legislation. This seems like the interests of some petty apparatchik are paramount. You don't need hair to learn for gods sake!!!!!! Madadrian

4:59pm Thu 7 Mar 13

HSC says...

Madadrian wrote:
"The interests of the child are paramount" is a phrase enshrined in legislation. This seems like the interests of some petty apparatchik are paramount.

You don't need hair to learn for gods sake!!!!!!
No, but you do need to be presentable.

Schooling is, after all, preparation for life and especially work.

If you were working in a professional, or customer-facing environment, than an employee would be expected to have a reasonable haircut.

If your employer tells you to get a haircut - you get a haircut. And your employer wouldn't pay for it!
[quote][p][bold]Madadrian[/bold] wrote: "The interests of the child are paramount" is a phrase enshrined in legislation. This seems like the interests of some petty apparatchik are paramount. You don't need hair to learn for gods sake!!!!!![/p][/quote]No, but you do need to be presentable. Schooling is, after all, preparation for life and especially work. If you were working in a professional, or customer-facing environment, than an employee would be expected to have a reasonable haircut. If your employer tells you to get a haircut - you get a haircut. And your employer wouldn't pay for it! HSC

5:18pm Thu 7 Mar 13

maur1 says...

well said madadrian the haircut looks a mess , i wouldnt of paid 6 pds for that id want a refund.
well said madadrian the haircut looks a mess , i wouldnt of paid 6 pds for that id want a refund. maur1

5:23pm Thu 7 Mar 13

PaulMJohnson says...

Madadrian wrote:
"The interests of the child are paramount" is a phrase enshrined in legislation. This seems like the interests of some petty apparatchik are paramount.

You don't need hair to learn for gods sake!!!!!!
The interests of all the children the school has to teach are paramount. If the school sets a standard that everyone is held to, and it helps them with maintaining discipline, good on them.

"I will certainly not let them do that. It annoys me to death. I am livid.", said the guardian. Far more sporting to make a fuss in the newspaper than to take reasonable action to get the kid back to school. Still, if I had to guess, from the phrase, "it annoys me to death", I would suggest the guardian didn't experience much education himself.
[quote][p][bold]Madadrian[/bold] wrote: "The interests of the child are paramount" is a phrase enshrined in legislation. This seems like the interests of some petty apparatchik are paramount. You don't need hair to learn for gods sake!!!!!![/p][/quote]The interests of all the children the school has to teach are paramount. If the school sets a standard that everyone is held to, and it helps them with maintaining discipline, good on them. "I will certainly not let them do that. It annoys me to death. I am livid.", said the guardian. Far more sporting to make a fuss in the newspaper than to take reasonable action to get the kid back to school. Still, if I had to guess, from the phrase, "it annoys me to death", I would suggest the guardian didn't experience much education himself. PaulMJohnson

5:40pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Madadrian says...

HSC "If you were working in a professional, or customer-facing environment, than an employee would be expected to have a reasonable haircut.

If your employer tells you to get a haircut - you get a haircut. And your employer wouldn't pay for it!"

He's a 12 yr old and not employed by anyone. When the school starts paying him they can dictate how he looks. These bums are getting money for educating children. Thats what they should stick to doing. If turning them into clones like North Koreans is what the current education system is all about I'm glad my kids are long out of it and gone.
HSC "If you were working in a professional, or customer-facing environment, than an employee would be expected to have a reasonable haircut. If your employer tells you to get a haircut - you get a haircut. And your employer wouldn't pay for it!" He's a 12 yr old and not employed by anyone. When the school starts paying him they can dictate how he looks. These bums are getting money for educating children. Thats what they should stick to doing. If turning them into clones like North Koreans is what the current education system is all about I'm glad my kids are long out of it and gone. Madadrian

5:54pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Idontknowaboutyoubut says...

The school has standards,and has set rules.A rare thing these days.Good for them,I say.I hope they dont back down.This was an act of defiance,and the grandfather is clearly a trouble make who needs a few lessons on how to fit in with the rest of society.
The school has standards,and has set rules.A rare thing these days.Good for them,I say.I hope they dont back down.This was an act of defiance,and the grandfather is clearly a trouble make who needs a few lessons on how to fit in with the rest of society. Idontknowaboutyoubut

6:11pm Thu 7 Mar 13

greenfinger says...

he should go for a good old fashioned number one cut. nice and level all the way round.
he should go for a good old fashioned number one cut. nice and level all the way round. greenfinger

7:35pm Thu 7 Mar 13

glyn says...

The school has standards,and has set rules.A rare thing these days.Good for them,I say.I hope they dont back down.This was an act of defiance,and the grandfather is clearly a trouble maker who needs a few lessons on how to fit in with the rest of society.”

Too true. I bet if we dig a little deeper into this there is more to the kids background and there have been other "incidents"
The school has standards,and has set rules.A rare thing these days.Good for them,I say.I hope they dont back down.This was an act of defiance,and the grandfather is clearly a trouble maker who needs a few lessons on how to fit in with the rest of society.” Too true. I bet if we dig a little deeper into this there is more to the kids background and there have been other "incidents" glyn

10:03pm Thu 7 Mar 13

outragedofmiltonkeynes says...

It looks like a goat has chewed it.
It looks like a goat has chewed it. outragedofmiltonkeynes

5:34am Fri 8 Mar 13

flaxton says...

Well done school. From the look of this young man in this photograph it is evident that his guardian needs to worry more about obesity than haircuts!
Well done school. From the look of this young man in this photograph it is evident that his guardian needs to worry more about obesity than haircuts! flaxton

8:12am Fri 8 Mar 13

Rt. Hon. DJ says...

Mr 'livid' Hudson should be paying more attention to his son's health than his hair. Get that lad to the gymnasium sharpish!
Very well done to English Martyrs School for upholding standards and keeping the neanderthals in tow.
Mr 'livid' Hudson should be paying more attention to his son's health than his hair. Get that lad to the gymnasium sharpish! Very well done to English Martyrs School for upholding standards and keeping the neanderthals in tow. Rt. Hon. DJ

10:12am Fri 8 Mar 13

thehogman says...

Haircuts like this always look silly on anyone but it looks even sillier on a somewhat rotund kid
Haircuts like this always look silly on anyone but it looks even sillier on a somewhat rotund kid thehogman

10:17am Fri 8 Mar 13

Woodenhead says...

Top marks to this school. Standards, discipline, values! Remember those words? Someone has to set them as obviously some parents and guardians don't. Also could we please stop those bleaters who say how a child looks does not affect schooling, of course it must. I know we should not tar everyone with the same brush but you don't often see sensible, intelligent, upright people with pink and green hair sticking up like a chickens bum, or a hair cut that looks like it was styled with a deranged lawnmower.
Look smart - feel smart - end up smart.
Top marks to this school. Standards, discipline, values! Remember those words? Someone has to set them as obviously some parents and guardians don't. Also could we please stop those bleaters who say how a child looks does not affect schooling, of course it must. I know we should not tar everyone with the same brush but you don't often see sensible, intelligent, upright people with pink and green hair sticking up like a chickens bum, or a hair cut that looks like it was styled with a deranged lawnmower. Look smart - feel smart - end up smart. Woodenhead

12:30pm Fri 8 Mar 13

rett1551 says...

They should of marched him straight to the barbers to get it finished off never mind home! On a serious note if the school have rules on presentation and uniform it is only right that they are enforced. Another pathetic article from The Northern Echo.
They should of marched him straight to the barbers to get it finished off never mind home! On a serious note if the school have rules on presentation and uniform it is only right that they are enforced. Another pathetic article from The Northern Echo. rett1551

12:48pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Hunty1 says...

Well done school, perhaps the rest of the schools should take a leaf out of this ones books!

And while they are on, makeup should be banned and the use of mobile phones at school!
Well done school, perhaps the rest of the schools should take a leaf out of this ones books! And while they are on, makeup should be banned and the use of mobile phones at school! Hunty1

1:07pm Fri 8 Mar 13

CandyCrush says...

They probably took him home as he was at risk of bullying - his hair makes him look like one of The Munsters! However our local school has completely extreme school rules. My daughter broke her arm on a Sunday evening but still wanted to attend school on Monday. She couldn't get the pot through her shirt sleeve so had to wear a plain white tshirt under her school sweatshirt. When she got there she was put in an isolation unit for the day, with the truants and time wasters, missing a full days lessons. When I rang them after school they said they make no exception to the school dress code in any situation. I was 'livid'!!! Obviously not enough to run to the Echo about it though.
They probably took him home as he was at risk of bullying - his hair makes him look like one of The Munsters! However our local school has completely extreme school rules. My daughter broke her arm on a Sunday evening but still wanted to attend school on Monday. She couldn't get the pot through her shirt sleeve so had to wear a plain white tshirt under her school sweatshirt. When she got there she was put in an isolation unit for the day, with the truants and time wasters, missing a full days lessons. When I rang them after school they said they make no exception to the school dress code in any situation. I was 'livid'!!! Obviously not enough to run to the Echo about it though. CandyCrush

8:27pm Fri 8 Mar 13

victorjames says...

This sounds like some jobsworth trying to make a point. All right it's not a great hair cut but are parents aware of what the school regards as reasonable? Are there pictures showing acceptable styles?. If the school wish to impose this measure they should employ a barber of their own.
This sounds like some jobsworth trying to make a point. All right it's not a great hair cut but are parents aware of what the school regards as reasonable? Are there pictures showing acceptable styles?. If the school wish to impose this measure they should employ a barber of their own. victorjames

7:28pm Mon 11 Mar 13

mark.wilkinson says...

This is about rules. The parents and the pupil involved have broken them.

Maybe this school and others need to be equally strict on ultra-short skirts, mobile phones, make-up, jewellry etc etc.

You need none of the above to go to school. They are all a distraction.

I support the school 100%
This is about rules. The parents and the pupil involved have broken them. Maybe this school and others need to be equally strict on ultra-short skirts, mobile phones, make-up, jewellry etc etc. You need none of the above to go to school. They are all a distraction. I support the school 100% mark.wilkinson

12:02am Tue 12 Mar 13

nigel d says...

Typical of some families the rules only apply to other people , so lets run to the papers so they sympathize with us, well done the school time more schools took a stronger stance, then there might not be so many little chavs around.
Typical of some families the rules only apply to other people , so lets run to the papers so they sympathize with us, well done the school time more schools took a stronger stance, then there might not be so many little chavs around. nigel d

1:15am Tue 12 Mar 13

cavygirl says...

So schools can stop kids from going to school with a certain hair cut but religious head coverings are allowed to be worn, that aren't part of the school uniform? Get your priorities right, British schools!!
So schools can stop kids from going to school with a certain hair cut but religious head coverings are allowed to be worn, that aren't part of the school uniform? Get your priorities right, British schools!! cavygirl

1:53am Tue 12 Mar 13

lilboysmammy says...

Rt. Hon. DJ wrote:
Mr 'livid' Hudson should be paying more attention to his son's health than his hair. Get that lad to the gymnasium sharpish!
Very well done to English Martyrs School for upholding standards and keeping the neanderthals in tow.
it's actually his grandson, if you take the time to read the article properly, mr hudson is his legal guardian , what's to say the lad isn't on medication or has other health issues with regards to his weight??? and as for him being removed from school because of his hairstyle is ridiculous, i've had the similar things said about my son, he has malignant cancer, he is in main stream school...DO NOT JUDGE A PATH YOU'VE NEVER WALKED...
[quote][p][bold]Rt. Hon. DJ[/bold] wrote: Mr 'livid' Hudson should be paying more attention to his son's health than his hair. Get that lad to the gymnasium sharpish! Very well done to English Martyrs School for upholding standards and keeping the neanderthals in tow.[/p][/quote]it's actually his grandson, if you take the time to read the article properly, mr hudson is his legal guardian , what's to say the lad isn't on medication or has other health issues with regards to his weight??? and as for him being removed from school because of his hairstyle is ridiculous, i've had the similar things said about my son, he has malignant cancer, he is in main stream school...DO NOT JUDGE A PATH YOU'VE NEVER WALKED... lilboysmammy

4:16am Tue 12 Mar 13

Michael, HP7 says...

@Madadrian said... 5:40pm Thu 7 Mar 13
If turning them into clones like North Koreans is what the current education system is all about...
--------------------
--------------------
--------------------
--------------------
-----
Actually, the lad's haircut is a veritable look-alike of the Supreme Leader of the Democratic Republic of North Korea - arguably a more tolerant regime than the English Martyrs RC school, Hartlepool. (Google images : Kim Jong-un)
@Madadrian said... 5:40pm Thu 7 Mar 13 If turning them into clones like North Koreans is what the current education system is all about... -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ----- Actually, the lad's haircut is a veritable look-alike of the Supreme Leader of the Democratic Republic of North Korea - arguably a more tolerant regime than the English Martyrs RC school, Hartlepool. (Google images : Kim Jong-un) Michael, HP7

11:17am Tue 12 Mar 13

behonest says...

CandyCrush wrote:
They probably took him home as he was at risk of bullying - his hair makes him look like one of The Munsters! However our local school has completely extreme school rules. My daughter broke her arm on a Sunday evening but still wanted to attend school on Monday. She couldn't get the pot through her shirt sleeve so had to wear a plain white tshirt under her school sweatshirt. When she got there she was put in an isolation unit for the day, with the truants and time wasters, missing a full days lessons. When I rang them after school they said they make no exception to the school dress code in any situation. I was 'livid'!!! Obviously not enough to run to the Echo about it though.
Perhaps you could have sued?

Seriously. Why should some little Hitler schoolteacher be allowed to get away with abusing a child like this, when they are just trying to do the right thing?
[quote][p][bold]CandyCrush[/bold] wrote: They probably took him home as he was at risk of bullying - his hair makes him look like one of The Munsters! However our local school has completely extreme school rules. My daughter broke her arm on a Sunday evening but still wanted to attend school on Monday. She couldn't get the pot through her shirt sleeve so had to wear a plain white tshirt under her school sweatshirt. When she got there she was put in an isolation unit for the day, with the truants and time wasters, missing a full days lessons. When I rang them after school they said they make no exception to the school dress code in any situation. I was 'livid'!!! Obviously not enough to run to the Echo about it though.[/p][/quote]Perhaps you could have sued? Seriously. Why should some little Hitler schoolteacher be allowed to get away with abusing a child like this, when they are just trying to do the right thing? behonest

3:31pm Tue 12 Mar 13

CandyCrush says...

I did look around at the last parents evening and think in regards to the very strict rules (no short skirts,no make up, no crazy hairstyles etc) that some of the teachers were not setting the greatest example themselves.
I did look around at the last parents evening and think in regards to the very strict rules (no short skirts,no make up, no crazy hairstyles etc) that some of the teachers were not setting the greatest example themselves. CandyCrush

4:30pm Tue 12 Mar 13

greenfinger says...

i agree he's a right little poker. extra PE would have been a better punishment.
i agree he's a right little poker. extra PE would have been a better punishment. greenfinger

5:07pm Tue 12 Mar 13

kittykat17 says...

Well done to the school for sticking to their rules, pity more don't do the same. If you are made aware of the rules when you start the school, it's no good complaining further down the line. My local primary school allows the 10 and 11 year olds to wear mini skirts and make-up...absolutely ridiculous, they could do with following this school's example.
Well done to the school for sticking to their rules, pity more don't do the same. If you are made aware of the rules when you start the school, it's no good complaining further down the line. My local primary school allows the 10 and 11 year olds to wear mini skirts and make-up...absolutely ridiculous, they could do with following this school's example. kittykat17

11:32pm Tue 12 Mar 13

outragedofmiltonkeynes says...

My school actually called the Police once to escort a pupil off the premises who was wearing a mini skirt, make up and high heels. It later emerged that the pupil in question was a 40 year old wagon driver from Wakefield.
My school actually called the Police once to escort a pupil off the premises who was wearing a mini skirt, make up and high heels. It later emerged that the pupil in question was a 40 year old wagon driver from Wakefield. outragedofmiltonkeynes

2:07pm Wed 13 Mar 13

simon cowells pants says...

Chubby little choker, has got what he deserved, standards need up holding good on the school. However isn't education wasted on the hordes of Artlepools in Cleveland ?
Chubby little choker, has got what he deserved, standards need up holding good on the school. However isn't education wasted on the hordes of Artlepools in Cleveland ? simon cowells pants

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree