A school girl identified as Chenise Benson, 14, with a £140, bright white dreadlocked hair, was sent back home from George Pindar school while her friend, said to be of Jamaican heritage, was allowed to stay on.
It’s understood that the girl was sent back to her home in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, for breaching school uniform rules. According to Chenise’s father, Darren, 39, the school displayed double standards because one of his daughter’s friends, has dreadlocks. He said:
‘It cost £140 and will stay in her hair for a year so it won’t be coming out.
‘One of her friends at the school, who has Jamaican heritage, has the same style of hair cut but with a red stripe in it rather than white and she has been allowed to remain.
‘I’ve read the policy regarding haircuts – and I can’t see what rule she has broken.’
Darren has already contacted North Yorkshire County Council but was told he had to raise his objection with his daughter’s school directly.
According to a policy document on the school’s website, it states:
‘Please note we do not allow extreme, unnatural hairstyles or colouring. Any hair accessories should be of a practical nature and should not be decorative.
‘If you are in doubt please contact your child’s tutor at the school. Hair should be no shorter than a Grade 3 cut.
‘Please be aware that what is and is not acceptable will be decided by the school in line with this policy and the school’s decision is final.
‘Please note that in sending your child to George Pindar School that you are agreeing to ensure your child abides by this policy.
‘If you have any queries or questions regarding any aspect of uniform, jewellery, hairstyle, please could you contact the school.’
A George Pindar School spokesman reacted to the incident:
‘It is the first time I have heard about the matter and obviously, with it being half-term, there is no way I can get the full background details about the matter.’
Amebo Book readers, was the school right in sending Chenise Benson back home for breaking school rules?
