Schoolboy gets detention for turning up to class with Britain's Got Talent stars' haircut
A 12-year-old schoolboy who models his hair on a duo who starred in Britain's Got Talent was placed in detention - after teachers banned his "extreme" cut.
Year 8 student Edward Minto found himself in trouble with his secondary school because his new style failed to meet the school's uniform policy.
Mum Holly is furious at teachers at Midhurst Rother College in Midhurst, West Sussex, for punishing her son for having what they called a "fashion haircut".
His hair is styled on Bars and Melody - stars of Britain's Got Talent in 2014 who have large quiffs.
Mum-of-three Holly, of Chichester, West Sussex, yesterday stuck up for her middle child's well-groomed quiff that landed him cooped up in lunchtime detention.
The 36-year-old said: "I stick by school rules and tell my children off for having bad uniform, they push boundaries and I can deal with that, but this is not extreme in any way.
"The school said they aren't allowed extreme haircuts, but where does an extreme start?
"Teachers called it a 'fashion haircut', but the uniform policy doesn't say anything about this style, more clarity and definition is needed so people know where they stand."
Edward has based his hairstyle on young singing duo Bars and Melody, stars of Britain's Got Talent in 2014, who are known for their squeaky clean approach to rap.
Publican Holly, who runs the Hair and Hounds in Chichester with husband Andrew, 48, said: "Edward gets up at six every day to style his hair in a smart way, he is immaculate from top to toe.
"He's had the same hair for the last few years, so I don't now why the school have only picked up on it now.
"He was given a lunchtime detention and only given five minutes to have something to eat and get back to class, the poor boy was starving.
"My son's hair doesn't distract him from learning, I'm absolutely furious."
Holly said Edward's friend also got a detention for an "extreme" haircut, even though he had it cut by the headmaster's cousin, and that teachers at the school had more extreme crops than her son.
Midhurst Rother College refused to comment on the matter, but a spokesperson referred to the uniform policy on their website.
It reads: "Uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of our college and setting an appropriate tone.
"It signals very clearly that students have to come to learn and to be part of the college community.
"The way in which students wear their uniform is one way in which the local community makes judgements about the college.
"Hairstyles should be appropriate for a formal setting and must not be extreme in cut, or colour, and must be a shade that occurs naturally."