A mum is furious after the botched haircut she accidentally gave her son led him to be suspended from school.

Julie Stephenson, of Longfield Drive, Dudley Hill, had to cut 12-year-old son Wayne's hair very short after a comb on clippers she was using broke.

But his new haircut failed to impress staff at Yorkshire Martyrs who ordered him home yesterday.

Mrs Stephenson said she was amazed when she received a call from the school at lunchtime saying Wayne had been suspended for a week.

"I can't believe it. I think it is so stupid," she said. "They said it doesn't matter how long it is or what colour it is, but if it's too short he can't come to school until it grows.

"Wayne loves school. He loves all his lessons. He is really upset about it all.''

In a letter, headteacher John Clarke said Wayne had been excluded for seven school days: "For failure to follow school rules with regards standards of appearance.''

The matter, added Mr Clarke, was also being referred to the school governors and the local authority.

Mrs Stephenson, who has two other sons and a daughter, said Wayne had never been in trouble at the school since he started there two years ago.

She was cutting Wayne's hair on Tuesday night when a comb on the clipper broke halfway through the trim, forcing her to use a shorter setting.

"I usually do a 'number two' but because the comb broke this time he had to have a 'number one'. Wayne has a double crown and a cow's lick, so he always wears his hair very short anyway.''

The school's deputy head teacher, Miss Margaret Christie, said: "The school sets high standards for appearance, uniform and behaviour. Parents are made aware of this when they apply to the school. Both students and parents were reminded of this last term.

"The school will be making arrangements to meet Mr and Mrs Stephenson to discuss a positive way forward that upholds the school's values and principles."

Parents and students have to sign an agreement to uphold the school rules, which include a ban on extremes of hairstyle such as shaved heads.

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