14 DAY TRIAL // The way teenagers dress at school these days has been much debated in recent years. The need for a uniform or a certain dress code, as well as that of setting some rules as to what is deemed appropriate on school grounds has also been a burning topic, with no definite solution in sight. However, at the Rednock School in Dursley, Gloucestershire, rules are rules – and rules say pupils can be sent home for being “too blonde.”
The strict dress code at the school mentions that no pupil, girl or boy, should dye their hair in “unnatural colors.” Nevertheless, the term in itself can be open to several interpretations, especially since no other explanation as to what “unnatural” means is offered. Mr. Alexander, head teacher, seems to think that blonde is also among these colors, which is why he believes to have been right to send two girls home for being “too blonde,” the British media reports.
The topic is already causing waves in the media, with most outlets taking the side of the two girls, aged 15 and 16, respectively, who, although with dyed hair, are natural blondes. “Blonde is considered a natural hair color and there are many different shades. The head claims that he must follow the rules. To me this suggests that certain students are being made to look a way which is against their will. I believe this is wrong and no amount of hair dye affects a person’s ability in school.” Raegan Booth, 16, tells the Daily Mail.
The fact that she and friend Aby Western were sent home is all the more outrageous as the girls are right in the middle of their GCSE year. “We should not be excluded over something so petty. This is a crucial time for us, and we should be focusing solely on our grades as opposed to our level of appearance.” Raegan explains, backed by her father, who vouches she is an excellent student who has never caused a single problem.
Nevertheless, Mr. Alexander tells a different story to the media, albeit while admitting that the school rules must be further detailed to avoid such confusions. “We would not stop any student from sitting their GCSEs, it is in our interests that every student sits their GCSEs at the school. We are just trying to be consistent and apply the rules across the board. This code of conduct has been in place for a long time.” he says, adding that a meeting with the parents of the two girls has already been scheduled to clear things.