A selfless schoolboy who shaved his head for charity has been told he’ll be SUSPENDED if he doesn’t grow his hair back.
Joseph Prentice, 14, was even supported by his teachers when he announced plans to chop off his treasured 12-inch locks to raise money.
But when he turned up for lessons with a bald head earlier this week, he was told he wouldn’t be allowed back if he kept the ‘extreme’ style.
His mum Katy, 38, said: “Joseph has always been so funny about getting his hair cut and whenever I have dragged him to the hairdressers he has never had a lot cut off.
“So when he told me that he wanted to shave his hair off for charity I was so stunned, if I am honest I didn’t think he would do it.
“Then when he started handing out sponsor forms I felt so proud of him.
“I could understand if he’d walked in with a Mohawk as that is an extreme style but this was anything but.”
Katy told that she was taken to one side by deputy head Lee Mcmahon, when she picked Joseph up from Stalham High School in Norfolk last Monday (12/06).
She claimed he told her that her son, who has been bullied for having long hair in the past, would be suspended if he kept his head shaved.
Katy, a housekeeper, said: “I was picking up Joseph from school early as we had to go to a family funeral, and the teacher knew that.
“He approached me and made it very black and white that if Joseph kept his hair short he would be suspended.
‘”The school claimed that because we didn’t inform them of the shave the consequences would be suspension.
“On the school say that they want to promote independence – well Joseph has been independent and is being punished for it.”
Stalham High School has only 400 students and became an Academy in January 2015.
On the school’s website, the uniform guidelines state only that “hair colours must natural”.
There is no reference to shaved hairstyles with the only requests being ‘No extreme colours or hair styles are allowed. Plain hair bands and clips may be worn, but no fashion hair clips, bands or bows are permitted’.
The school’s reaction has surprised Joseph and his family as teachers even allowed him to put posters up in the staff room about the charity shave.
“By Joseph putting up posters I think it’s quite obvious that the school knew about it,” said Katy.
“I just wish they would commend him for his efforts instead of punishing him.
” We have considered pulling Joseph out of school because of this.
“He is just about to start his GCSE’s and he doesn’t need this added stress. I have taken him to look round other schools, but have decided against it.”
Joseph’s father Neil, 44, who works as a refuse collection, has suffered from alopecia since he was 12 and has branded the school’s reaction ‘totally offensive’.
He said: “I find it really offensive that having your head shaved is referred to as ‘extreme’.
“In my case I have suffered with Alopecia since I was twelve and suffered with negative labelling throughout my high school.
“That was in the eighties. I had hoped times have changed.”
Joseph, from Stalham, Norfolk started fundraising for the head shave in December and has raised a combined total of £350 for the chosen charities.
To support him, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jacketpotatoesheadshave
I was the guy that shaved off most of Josephs hair and am a shaven headed biker too. I believe that Joseph was a hero for doing what he did, considering the length of his hair before the shaver was turned on. The crowd standing around for the event cheered and clapped as his hair fell to the ground in great clumps. I actually paid £50 for the privilege and it was worth every penny that went to two causes. NABD that converts motorcycle for disabled bikers and his youth club. I say “well done Joseph, you deserve a commendation rather than a reprimand for your bravery and thought towards others”.
Good for him. He seems like a lovely genuine boy, so for the school to basically box him in a stereotype is extreme. The school is sending out the wrong message. He should have full backing of his peers and those in charge. The schoolmistress now coming off as small minded and being run by adults that doesn’t move with the times. Aren’t we supposed to back up those that want to stand up for something important, have strong views and applaud those that want to help make the world a better place, which is all this child and others like him are trying to do? The governing body needs to catch up to this day and age, stop the narrow mindedness and congratulate this kid. They as a school will end up with more supporters that way.
It should read the school,is, not school misstress
utterly ridiculous, petty and bloody minded decision by the school, far more important things to worry about, well done to the lad for raising so much for charity, these type of selfless actions should be praised and encouraged.
Joseph has done an admirable thing and doesn’t deserve to be treated in this way. The school needs to concentrate on the things which really matter instead of punishing a pupil for trying to raise money for charity in this sacrificial way. I would have thought the long hair would be more of an issue for them! I know Joseph and have worked with him when I directed a theatrical production. He struggles with confidence issues so to have his head shaved for charity is an enormous step for him and I have only the greatest of praise for him. He deserves all the support he can get!