Should schools get to dictate our children's hair?

Young people are returning to the classroom after the summer break - and for many that means a back-to-school haircut.

Many schools still insist students avoid "extreme" styles, with tramlines, skin fades, braids and "unnatural" colours appearing on ban lists.

One school in Lincolnshire insists all students tie back long hair as matter of course.

But what do others think?

Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis, a trust which runs dozens of academies in England, says it is time for schools to stop dictating hairstyles.

He says: "Presumably, it's about keeping things regimented. But the idea that tight regulation will somehow result in moral fibre is outdated.

"I would be much more interested in finding out why a student has gone for what might be deemed to be an extreme haircut."

Glen Thompson, head of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Alford, Lincolnshire, has an opposite view.

He insists all his students - girls and boys - tie back long hair.

"I am not aware of any other school that requires its students to do that," he says.

Thompson says his predecessor, who taught in Australia, took part in a study that showed students performed better when they were not fidgeting.

The school asks students to adopt "sensible" haircuts, says Thompson.

"I don't think it's particularly Draconian."

Although some schools have an outright ban on dye, he says students are free to change hair colours if it remains a natural colour.

"I am aware of a student who has changed her colour to a darker one and it looks good," says Thompson.

He insists students "buy in" to the school's values and standards, adding that no pupil "would turn up with pink hair because they have respect for our school".

Thompson says he subscribes to so-called 'nudge theory', where individuals are encouraged to feel in control of the decisions they make.

Students are "encouraged to rebel when they seeing something that is unjust", he says, but they are taught to "use the correct mechanisms".

"My door is always open to students and parents," he says. "We also have a school council. It is important student know the reason behind our expectations."

Thompson says the school is preparing its students for life - and the workplace - where, he says, first impressions count.

"If a parent comes to my office to meet the head teacher and they find me unshaven and not looking presentable they will form an opinion of me based on what they see."

Thompson says where complaints are made, either by parents or students themselves, "there is usually something broader going on in terms of the culture at that school".

Betsy, 13, is having her hair styled at Be Hair & Beauty in North Ferriby, East Yorkshire.

She says blonde highlights are popular among her peers, while boys go for perms and "textured" looks.

"I think you should be able to have your hair however you want as long as it doesn't distract anyone. Everyone is different, everyone has different opinions," she adds.

Izzy, 14, is sporting a goth look as she strolls through Hull city centre with her sister and mum.

"I want to be able to show off my personality with my hair," she says.

Izzy says her choice of schoolbag "is the only way" she can show her personality.

She adds: "Being able to dye my hair would be really nice but I do respect the fact that you need to stay civil in school and just get on.

"As soon as you leave school, you have full freedom to do whatever you want with your hair and no one will care."

Her sister Edie, 10, adds that she wants light purple or red hair when she grows up.

Sisters Daisy, 11, and Elsie, 14, believes schools should not be able to dictate hairstyles.

"You should be able to have it how you want," says the younger sibling.

"We shouldn't have to change it just because of the school rules."

Elsie insists hairstyle choice "doesn't affect learning" so, in her opinion, "there is no reason" for school leaders to implement policies.

Claire, 50, is shopping with her two daughters.

She thinks school hair policies "can be quite extreme".

Her daughters' schools ensure children's hair is of a natural colour, she says.

But she says hairstyles are "an expression of the person" who they are.

"We're looking forward to when Izzy leaves school," says Claire, referring to hair colour. "She will go absolutely crazy!"

Lee, 40, is also a parent to two young girls, and he believes schools should only be able to dictate the colour of hair.

"Not styles," he says. "People need to be individuals and have their own personality."

Dr Carole Campbell, an experienced educational psychologist, is based in Scotland.

"I can say, with confidence, that we don't have haircut policies in Scottish schools," she says. "And I am actually really shocked that they still exist in England."

Campbell is clear: haircuts do not contribute in any way to learning outcomes.

"There is no link at all between student haircuts and learning," she says.

"There are so many better things for teachers and students to focus on."

Campbell believes "rigid" haircut policies risk harming children with special educational needs and disabilities.

"Visits to the hairdresser or barbershop can be really traumatic for people who are neurodivergent."

Campbell says individuality should be applauded.

"We have a generation that really embraces individuality in a way that older generations probably don't. It's a very inclusive generation and that should be celebrated."

Louise Sewell owns Be Hair & Beauty in North Ferriby, East Yorkshire.

Sewell believes young people should be free to have whatever hair style they choose, but acknowledges what school rules need to be followed "even if you don't agree with them".

She says most girls are opting for long, curly hair with highlights, while boys are choosing highlights and perms.

"We have a lot of young teens come in for highlights. We always ensure highlights are subtle and avoid full head bleaches.

"We also always ensure we get parental consent for under 16s."

Sewell says youngsters who fall foul of school policies have usually dyed their own hair.

"They've experimented with vivid colours bought cheaply from supermarkets.

"But of course you don't know how you're going to react with a particular product."

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