A SCHOOL has reinstated a pupil sent home for having dreadlock style hair extensions after racial equality workers intervened.

Georgina Vickery, a year eight pupil at Darwen Vale High School, was excluded four weeks ago and told she could only return if her £100 hairstyle was changed.

But the 12-year-old, of Ansdell Terrace, Blackburn, is now set to rejoin classmates after the Ethnic Minorities Achievement Project stepped in.

The Blackburn-based organisation trains teachers to work with youngsters from ethnic minorities.

Deputy Head Geoffrey Miller said: "The school had a meeting with people from the Ethnic Minorities Achievement Project.

"On the basis of what was said, it was decided Georgina should be allowed back into school. They said the hairstyle was a cultural issue. "On the basis of the guidance they gave us, the headmaster John Strivens contacted the girl's parents and informed them of the decision."

The original decision was taken on the grounds of a school rule stating that bizarre or unusual hairstyles, including excessive braiding, were not acceptable.

Georgina's mum Margaret had paid £100 for the hair extensions as a Christmas present.

She said: "Georgina's father is Jamaican but I hadn't really thought about the cultural issue.

"I just thought that her hairstyle was nice and neat and that there was nothing wrong with it.

"The Ethnic Minorities Achievement Project intervened without asking me.

"I am really pleased that the school has seen sense and allowed her back."

Mr Miller said the school would now be reviewing the rules governing hairstyles.

He added said they had been made to prevent pupils from adopting styles which might be considered "excessive".

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