School sparks fury as it bans pupils from growing beards and facial hair

Students are up in arms after their school banned them from having beards and facial hair.

Colchester Royal Grammar School in Essex has a long-standing policy against facial hair, but it's only recently that they've started to enforce it. An anonymous student said: "While I understand that schools may establish these rules to make sure students are well groomed, I believe it is essential to consider the diverse and individual needs of the students.

"Facial hair is a natural aspect of adolescence and puberty, and enforcing the removal might infringe upon personal choices and their own rights." The student also claimed that some pupils are being "singled out," causing anger among the students.

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A spokesperson for the school confirmed that only sixth formers are allowed to grow facial hair, with exceptions made for religious reasons.

They said: "All students from Years 7 to 11 are, however, requested to be clean shaven." The school insists that the policy "has been consistently applied" and that it has never been queried, adding that its behaviour policy "is, and should be, regularly reviewed".

The school added: "The current policy was written with the support of the student body during the last academic year.

"If students feel strongly about this matter then there are platforms such as the student council so that they can raise issues that are important to them. We would welcome any such conversation."

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A statement posted on the school's website in 2019 reminded parents "the boys are not allowed very short or long hair or any extreme styles, facial hair or piercings.

"We respect that it is a parent's right to choose for their child to attend CRGS, if offered a place, and we would expect these aspects to have been considered before accepting the place at our school," it added.

In 2019, a school in Bracknell U-turned on its decision to ban its pupils from growing facial hair after receiving backlash from students and their parents.

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