A PUPIL has been excluded from Derby High School because of his striking mohican-style haircut created by his hairdresser sister.

Christopher Garrity (14), of Alfred Street, Bury, sported the short blond mohican on the side of his head as a favour to his sister Shelly (20), who is a qualified hairdresser putting together a portfolio of her work.

Shelly wanted to take photographs of the haircut, so their mother, Julie, wrote to Christopher's head teacher explaining his new hair do. But a number of teachers felt the haircut was inappropriate and Christopher was taken out of lessons at the school in Radcliffe Road.

Mrs Garrity said: "I am absolutely mortified by what has happened. It isn't like Christopher was trying to break rules and encourage other pupils to do the same. It was done as a favour to his sister.

"But when he went into school and took the letter I had written, he was bawled at by one teacher while trying to explain. The letter explained that it would only be for two weeks and then he will get rid of it. I went into school to try to explain further but there just seemed no give and take."

Mrs Garrity now plans to speak to the school's governors and hopes Christopher will be allowed to return to school as soon as possible.

Head teacher Alyson Byrne said: "Like most schools, we have a clear policy on uniform. Extreme hairstyles are not acceptable and we regularly remind our parents of this.

"It is very difficult to make exceptions because this sends a signal to other pupils that such hairstyles are acceptable and they may try to follow suit. I have explained our position to Mrs Garrity.

"Where matters of dispute are concerned, members of staff do occasionally need to raise their voice. I don't regard the way this pupil was dealt with as being unusual in this instance. We are very keen to get Christopher back into lessons as soon as possible."