The mother of a London schoolboy who was told to cut his dreadlocks off is taking legal action against the school.
Tuesday Flanders made an official complaint to Fulham Boys’ School after her son Chikayzea, 12, was told that his hair breached its appearance policy.
She said the school’s response to her complaint was unsatisfactory and is taking the case to a judicial review.
Chikayzea was taught in isolation after he arrived for his first day at the free school and has now moved to a nearby academy. His mother said he has dreadlocks because he is a Rastafarian and they are part of his religion.
Working Action Group, which is supporting Mrs Flanders, said: “Fulham Boys School have failed to acknowledge the unlawful discrimination that clearly exists in their uniform policy under current legislation. As a result of which, legal proceedings will commence.”
Almost 5,000 people signed a petition to support Chikayzea and a protest was held outside the school last week. Mrs Flanders said: “To hear someone telling you to change your way of life to attend a school is heartbreaking.”
Protesters carried placards saying “stand-up racist school policies” and “shame on you Fulham Boys School”.
Today headteacher Alun Ebenezer said he was unaware of the legal action. After the protest, he told the Standard: “We are a strict academic boys’ school and have a strict uniform and appearance policy. I would stress that everyone is welcome to the school. We are not a racist school in any way, shape or form. But we have a distinct culture and when boys come to the school we expect them to respect that culture. We are strict and no-nonsense .”
He said seven per cent of pupils are Asian, 10 per cent are black African and 13 per cent are black Caribbean.
He added: “Fifteen per cent of our pupils come from private backgrounds and 44 per cent are on the pupil premium. They rub shoulders together and you can’t tell who is who, they are all wearing the same.”
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