Samuel Ryder Academy has defended its rules on haircuts after a family complained their son was being "targeted" for his short back and sides.

Evi Mousiou said his son Anthony has been put in isolation for his "traditional English haircut".

But headteacher Matt Gauthier said the school rules regarding haircuts state that hair must not be shorter than a grade two.

He said: "This information is given to parents when a child starts at the school. 

"At the start of the school year when he joined us, we reminded Anthony of the school rules regarding haircuts because his hair was a 0.5 grade, much shorter than the rules allowed. No sanction was imposed on him, but it was made clear to him that any future breaches of these rules may result in an internal exclusion."

When Anthony, 12, returned from half term with the same haircut he was put in isolation for a day, but Mr Gauthier said Evi took his son out of school for three weeks against the school’s wishes.

He came back to class following a meeting with the deputy head, when Anthony’s hair had grown to an acceptable length.

But Mr Gauthier continued: "On Tuesday of this week Anthony arrived at school having had the exact same haircut again so his head of year made a telephone call to Mr Mousiou to reiterate the school rules and potential sanctions. Unfortunately, Mr Mousiou once again withdrew Anthony from school.

"Like every school, we have our own set of rules, standards and expectations and it is very important that these rules are consistently applied. This is also the first time that we have had a parent respond in this manner."