A CONTROVERSIAL new dress policy banning students at The Brakenhale School from growing facial hair been scrapped.

The academy’s deputy headteacher sent an email to parents of children at the school last night (Thursday, November 28) informing them students aged 11-16 would not be allowed to grow a moustache or a beard from January 2020.

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The plans were met with confusion by parents and residents who slammed the move.

One commented online: “This is truly pathetic from a local school. How controlling.”

Sam Watson, a parent to a year nine pupil, told the News: “I had a call from the head teacher this morning informing me they won’t be going ahead with the policy.

“I think it’s ridiculous they even thought us parents would agree to it.

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“It’s all part of growing up, facial hair is a part of them and I can’t see why them having to shave makes any difference to their learning.”

The email sent to parents informed them of a new “additional dress regulation” which was “in line with other schools”.

Exceptions were due to be granted for religious beliefs but only if permission had been received by the headteacher and if the growth is of stubble length.

But now the policy has been thrown out after a “parental backlash”.

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In another email sent to parents, headteacher Jane Coley claimed the idea was “not meant to offend anyone”.

It continued: “It is always our intention for all students to feel safe and secure in school and when some of the older students are wearing fully styled beards and sideburns it makes them look much older and it has led to some worries from our younger students.

“This was the sole reason for our request for no facial hair in school, it was never our intention to cause any kind of upset.

“However, we have now reflected and as a result, we will not be asking students to remove facial hair.

"If we get something wrong we will always do our best to listen and amend accordingly and I hope that you recognise this.

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"I am fully committed to our community and I would ask that as parents you to trust us, as everything we do as a school is in the best interests of your children."