Charlotte Carruthers, 35, claimed son Tyrelle Richards, 15, was excluded from Ellis Guilford School in Basford, Nottingham, on September 6 as his hair was too short. The teenager has his hair plaited and shaved at the sides, which the school has said is not acceptable within a new set of rules.

       But mum-of-three Ms Carruthers is furious with the decision, telling Nottinghamshire Live she is looking at new schools.

       Ms Carruthers, from Aspley, Nottingham, said: "It's bizarre, it's really baffled me and angered me as well.

       "How can a hairstyle stop a child from learning? To me whether you've got dreadlocks, wearing a turban or are bald how does any of it affect your ability to learn at school? That shouldn't affect anything in my eyes.

       "They didn't give a reason other than it was new school rules on hairstyles, but I'm not aware of any new rules."

       Ms Carruthers said she was told Tyrelle could not return to school until his hair grew or he took the plaits out.

       But he's had the same haircut since he started at the school in 2018.

       "Other students have similar hairstyles and nothing has happened to them, it feels like it's just against my child," the mother continued.

       "I have no idea why they've done it. It makes no sense to me.

       "I've said he isn't taking his plaits out because that's a hairstyle, because he has curly afro hair if he takes them out it'll look even shorter anyway."

       The mum, who has spoken to the headteacher since Tyrelle was excluded, added: "He missed out on Year 10 because of Covid and now he's been kicked out because of a hairstyle.

       "During his most important year as well, it makes no sense.

       "He's just said he wants to move school because he feels like he shouldn't have to change his hair to be able to come to school, and I totally agree.

       "He's upset, I know that. His friends have even gone on social media and posted a picture asking why this happened."

       Ellis Guilford School, which caters for more than 1,200 pupils, only opened in 2018 and is yet to be inspected by Ofsted.

       It declined to comment on Tyrelle's case.