THE father of a schoolboy placed in isolation because staff labelled his haircut "extreme" is to make a formal complaint to the school.

Thirteen-year-old Callum Rhind was removed from his lessons on Friday and made to continue with schoolwork away from his classmates after turning up with a new haircut.

Although Ilkley Grammar School's dress code forbids extreme hair styles, such as shaved lines, highly coloured or streaked hair, Callum's father, Andrew, says he has been singled out - and claims his hairstyle was similar to haircuts sported by other students at the academy, located in Cowpasture Road.

Callum had an undercut-type haircut last week, with the sides and back shaved much shorter than the top - a fashionable style currently worn by a number of football stars and celebrities.

Mr Rhind kept his son, who lives in Burley-in-Wharfedale, off school on Monday, and paid for him to have another haircut to comply with school rules, leaving his hair shorter all over, a style which Mr Rhind says is more extreme than his original haircut.

He now plans to write a formal complaint to the school over his treatment.

The incident follows similar reports from all over the country of boys being placed in isolation at school or threatened with exclusion for similar haircuts, likened by some to the old style 'short back and sides' cut.

"It's not affecting anyone's learning," said Mr Rhind. "The kids are not affected, some of them found it funny."

"They've insisted he got the top of his hair cut down to a number two, which in my eyes looks more extreme. They're turning into a communist state school. There are other kids who have similar hair, they've not been singled out."

Ilkley Grammar, which is looking into forming a trust partnership with Bingley Grammar School and local primary schools, declined to comment on the matter.

And Mr Rhind says other parents have sympathised with him on social media.

"The response has been incredible. There's even a teacher who agrees with me," he added.

Callum returned to school and rejoined classmates on Tuesday.

Ilkley Grammar publishers details of its uniform policy on its website, specifying styles of clothing allowed or prohibited, along with rules on jewellery and hair styles.

In the dress code, the school says: "Students can expect to be challenged where they fall short of our high expectations. They are ambassadors for themselves and for our school when they are out in the community.The ‘Get Smart’ message benefits us all."