Charity headshave lands pair in trouble (From Thurrock Gazette)

Charity headshave lands pair in trouble

8:00am Thursday 31st May 2012 in News

Gary Howard with son Billy after his headshave

TWO schoolboys who shaved their heads for charity were put in isolation when they turned up to school.

Billy Howard and Joe Moon, both 15, were told they would be kept in at breaks and lunchtimes until their hair grows back.

The youngsters, who go to Gable Hall School, in Stanford-le-Hope, raised £500 for St Luke’s Hospice, in Basildon, by having the cuts.

They got permission from the school beforehand and were even sponsored by headteacher Dr Sophina Asong.

However, they claim to have misunderstood the shortest their haircut could be was shaved on a number two setting – an eighth of an inch shorter than the school allows.

After having their hair clipped at Billy’s home, in Branksome Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope, on Tuesday, a teacher ordered the boys into isolation on Wednesday.

Billy’s parents were so angry with the school’s decision their son was home-schooled, while Joe, who lives in Corringham, was allowed special permission to attend a school drama trip to London.

Billy’s mum, Sally, 45, said: “We’re angry. It’s such a shame the boys were put in isolation for the day. They will be in for breaks until it grows out, even though Dr Asong sponsored them.

“Apparently, only a number three is allowed and they had a number two. We are so proud of the boys and they should not be hidden away as they did it for a good cause.”

In a letter sent to the school, Billy’s dad, Gary, 45, expressed disappointment at the decision and asked what values the school was teaching.

He said: “They have shown responsibility and creativity for a good cause. Now they can’t even collect their sponsorship.”

Dr Asong said: “The school’s support for St Luke’s Hospice and the service it provides to our community is whole hearted.

“The decision by two students to raise sponsorship by shaving their heads was approved by the school, provided it conformed to the school behaviour code.

“On the day the students came into school with their heads shaved, they admitted they had knowingly flouted the code and it is for this reason they ended up being taught in isolation.”