Teenager isolated over cancer charity haircut

A teenager who shaved his head to raise money for charity has been put into isolation for breaking school rules.

Stan Lock, 14, a pupil at Churchill Academy, North Somerset, said he wanted to raise funds for Macmillan "because cancer affects so many people".

He got the "number one" haircut on Sunday after playing rugby for Winscombe RFC.

Head teacher Dr Barry Wratten said Stan had been in "isolation" for three days but this would now "be reviewed".

Stan said he had been in isolation because his head teacher "did not approve" of the haircut.

His mother Melanie Rees said she was "incredibly proud" of what her son had done.

"I'd hoped the school would have shown some element of judgement and would have made an exception," she said.

"Stan's been overwhelmed with messages of support from his friends."

Stan's stunt had raised more than £200 on Friday morning but that figure has now gone up to more than £4,000.

Macmillan Cancer Support said it "cannot comment on individual school policies" but was "very grateful to Stan for his fundraising efforts, which will make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer".

Readers of the BBC Points West Facebook page have been having their say on Stan's punishment.

Jo Thorpe said: "Its a joke i agree school rules are there for a reason but this child has done something amazing in raising money for a very worthy cause."

Danielle Lloyd said: "Why didn't the school just use a bit of common sense!?"

Marsha Maton said: "Some rules are there to be broken what a wonderful boy no one should punish him for what he has done."

Steph Hobbs said: "My daughter goes to an all girls school, one of her friends shaved her head and it was applauded, by the girls, teacher and head! Well done to this young man."

Jan McLeod said: "Should probably have spoken to school first to explain his intentions. Very bad manners on his and his parents part."

A petition to have the teenager reinstated into class has attracted more than 600 signatures and the Free Stan Lock Facebook page has been "liked" more than 500 times.

The school's website says that pupils with "extreme hairstyles will be isolated" and that "very short hair or hair with designs cut in will be considered extreme".

It said students who "failed to comply" with its uniform regulations "will be challenged" and that the school hoped "it would receive the support of parents in sorting things out quickly".

"However, if the problem is not rectified the student will be educated in isolation from their peers," the school website said.

The school converted to an academy within the past two years and teaches almost 1,500 pupils.