The mother of a 14-year-old school girl has hit out after her daughter was taken out of lessons for dyeing her hair.

Natalie Bussey, of Elmfield Drive, Wibsey, claims Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College overreacted by forcing GCSE student Kirsty Crooke to study in its ‘green room’ for a week after she had her roots dyed red.

Earlier this year, the Telegraph & Argus reported how 16-year-old Nicole Howard was also banned from class at the school for her deep red-coloured locks.

Miss Bussey said her daughter’s hair had been the same colour for over a year but it was only when she had the roots redyed staff told her it was too bright for school.

She said: “Children should be allowed to express themselves, it’s not a bad colour. I’d understand if it was blue. I don’t understand why they’ve pulled her out of a week’s worth of lessons for having her roots done. She should have been in lessons. I’m livid.”

Miss Bussey said her daughter had been told she would have to remain in the green room until her hair colour “settled down”.

The school had not responded to a request for a comment by the time the T&A went to print. A notice in the general appearance section of its website states: “We challenge extreme hair styles and colour – we expect a natural hair colour and smart appearance for school.”

When the T&A reported Nicole Howard’s story, head teacher Richard Hughes said: “We extend our high standards in uniform to general appearance and take time to reinforce this.

“Our expectations are communicated in the prospectus, in letters to parents and, if required, in our weekly newsletter. We also welcome discussions with parents about this if the need arises.”