THE FATHER of an Ilkley schoolboy placed in 'isolation' because staff labelled his haircut "extreme" is to make a formal complaint to Ilkley Grammar School.

Callum Rhind, 13, was removed from his lessons on Friday and made to continue with schoolwork away from his classmates after turning up with a new haircut.

Although the school's dress code forbids extreme hairstyles, such as shaved lines, highly coloured or streaked cuts, Callum's father, Andrew, says he has been singled out He claims his hairstyle was similar to cuts sported by other students at the Cowpasture Road academy.

Callum had an undercut-type haircut last week, with the sides and back shaved much shorter than the top – a fashionable style currently worn by a number of football stars and celebrities.

Mr Rhind kept his son, who lives at Burley-in-Wharfedale, off school on Monday, and paid for him to have another haircut to comply with school rules, leaving his hair shorter all over – a style Mr Rhind says is more extreme than his original one.

He now plans to write a formal complaint to the school regarding Callum's treatment.

The incident follows similar reports across the country of boys being placed in isolation at school or threatened with exclusion for similar haircuts, likened by some to the old style 'short back and sides' cut.

"It's not affecting anyone's learning," said Mr Rhind. "The kids are not affected – some of them found it funny.

"They've insisted he got the top of his hair cut down to a number two, which in my eyes looks more extreme. They're turning into a communist state school. There are other kids who have similar hair, but they've not been singled out."

And Mr Rhind says other parents have sympathised with him on social media.

"The response has been incredible," he added.

Callum returned to school on Tuesday.

Ilkley Grammar, which is looking into forming a trust partnership with Bingley Grammar School and local primary schools, declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Ilkley Gazette yesterday.

The school publishers details of its uniform policy on its website, specifying styles of clothing allowed or prohibited, along with rules on jewellery and hairstyles.

In the dress code, the school says: "Students can expect to be challenged where they fall short of our high expectations.

"They are ambassadors for themselves and for our school when they are out in the community. The ‘Get Smart’ message benefits us all."

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale Observer, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.