A schoolboy has been put in isolation after shaving his head to raise money for cancer.
Stan Lock, 13, decided to lose his thick brown hair after a number of friends and family were struck down by the disease.
The model pupil had the trim on Sunday after setting up a donation page for Macmillan Cancer care – with some teachers giving him money.
But he was devastated when he went to school the next day and was told his number zero hairstyle was against the rules.
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A teacher took a photo on his mobile phone and sent it to his head of house and the following day Stan was put in isolation.
He is banned from attending lessons and spends all day inside an individual booth, including lunch and break times.
Staff at Churchill Academy at North Somerset have said he must stay in exclusion until his hair had grown back to at least a number two – which could take weeks.
His mother, Mel Rees, 47, said she was extremely proud of her son’s decision to shave his head and is furious at the school’s decision.
She said: “He came home on Friday evening and said that he had decided he wanted to shave his hair off for charity. I thought it was a great idea.
“He arranged to do it after his rugby match on Sunday and we set up a Justgiving Page where he started getting sponsorship from friends, family and even some teachers.
“We’ve had a number of friends and family affected by cancer, and though it has been nothing recent, it is something that’s been playing on his mind.
“When he came home on the Monday evening he said he was really worried that he was in serious trouble over the cut.
“The next day he ended up in isolation and was told that he would have to stay there until his hair grew back to at least a number two.”
Mel, from Wrington, added: “I’ve tried speaking to the headteacher but he says if he lets one student off with it the other 1,400 might follow. It’s madness.
“On Tuesday Stan was saying that he almost regretted do it, which is such a shame.
“Luckily now he’s had so much support he’s enjoying it and he realises that what he has done for charity is a great thing.
“He’s a model pupil, he’s on track to do really well, it’s not as if he’s a troublemaker or a little rebel trying to stick two fingers up at the school.”
Stan hoped to raise just #100 from the head shave but has already more than doubled that as news of the school’s reaction has spread.
Friends have rallied around and set up a Facebook page calling for his release, a petition and have even started posting #freestan on posters around the school.
Stan, a year nine pupil, said: “I decided to shave my head because cancer is horrible and people I know have been affected by it, so I decided to do something to help.
“I thought I would shave my head because that is associated with cancer treatment, it is quiet a dramatic thing to do, therefore I thought people would donate.
“I went into school on Monday and people stroked my head and questioned my reason to do it, I explained it was for charity and people were glad I did it.
“Teachers were supportive and one even donated. But in my last lesson my PE teachers were concerned and took photos to send to the head of house.
“The next day I arrived and in morning tutor was told that I had to go to isolation, I tried to explain that it was for charity.”
He added: “I am very upset and disappointed as I am being punished for doing charity fund raising.
“I have had my break and lunch time taken away to be sat behind a computer screen in a small box like room.
“I am starting to regret shaving my head because the days feel like weeks, it feels like a prison.
“I don’t think I’m getting the same level of education that I would be in class.
“Normally I have five lessons a day so I am missing out, I’m doing my GCSE courses, which makes it even more vital.”
The uniform policy at the school – rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – states: “Very short hair or hair with designs cut in will be considered ‘extreme’.
“Children who have extreme hairstyles will be isolated.”
Headteacher Dr Barry Wratten said: “I do not favour speaking publicly about individual students or their families and will not do so now.
“I am happy to speak more generally: we have held a firm line against those who decide to flout our behaviour policies for many years – it is only by doing this can we uphold our standards and make sure we are fair to all.
“In the past parents have approached us about stunts to raise money for charity and we have been able to advise and work with them to avoid any difficulty.
“At times, some parents do not do this and do not advise their children of potential problems.
“As such in these circumstances they let their children down and place them in an unnecessarily difficult position and also undermine the authority of the school.
“It is always easier then to blame someone else – I and the school are an easy target when the fault lies elsewhere.
“Speaking generally, there are many ways to raise money for charity – most we will support; rushing into a particular way without thought is always likely to cause consequences.
“Some people wish to avoid consequences by blaming others – I think this sends a poor message to young people.
“I have consistently held this stance and parents, generally, know we set high standards. That’s why we expect them to have a dialogue with us before they allow their child to do something they may regret.”
Anyone wishing to donate to Stan’s cause should visit: https://www.justgiving.com/
