A WAR of words has broken out after a Derby boy flouted school rules by having his hair cut too short.
Callum Freeman, 11, had his hair cut in a Mohican style and close-shaved on the sides of his head, contrary to the dress code at St Benedict Voluntary Catholic Academy in Darley Abbey.
Now his mum, Sam Tillson, of Allenton, has said she has been told Callum is not allowed back into school until his hair grows back to a reasonable length.
She said: "He had his hair cut during a day off last week. He had it shorter than usual because he doesn't like having it cut and it would save going again in the near future.
"I wasn't aware that pupils could not have a grade one cut, which this is, I thought it would only be wrong if his head was fully shaved or coloured."
She added: "He was put into isolation when he went back to school last Friday and I arranged for his grandfather to fetch him home the same day and he hasn't been back since.
"I was told he couldn't return until it grew again but that could be weeks and he is already behind in his lessons.
"I was fined for taking him out of school in September to go on holiday but now they won't let him be in lessons."
But head teacher Dr Chris Reynolds denies that Callum has not been allowed back into school.
He said: "We have a zero-tolerance policy towards breaking school rules.
"This will result in pupils being placed in our opportunities room, which is not isolation, where there are several other pupils and a teacher.
"He has not been told that he cannot be in school and we would far sooner have Callum here.
"Hopefully, we will be able to speak to his mother and explain the situation to her."
