My 13 year old daughter, is exploring who she is and trying to find her own unique identity. Through this she has been experimenting with her hair colour. To which, as her parent I’ve embraced. Providing it doesn’t harm her, others around her or health and safety. 

This has proven to be a point of contention with school uniform policy “Hair colour should be natural in its entirety” my understanding of this rule given schools over all policies, is that this policy is contradictory and over-all archaic. It is not representative of current day. Where performance and behaviour is at the forefront of peoples mind over an individual appearance. 

I was further appalled to find out this policy of natural colour only applies, where the authoritarians pushing the rule deem this appropriate i.e. you can have un natural hair colour provided you choose to conform to blonde, brown, black and auburn.

This rule and how it is being persuaded is absolutely discrimination and is a direct contradiction of policies they have outlined to manage ED&I (equality, diversity & inclusion)

School policies:-

“We celebrate diversity, we actively challenge discrimination and we are committed to be inclusive” 

Principle 2: “our policies, procedures and activities must not discriminate but nevertheless take account of differences”

Principle 6: “we engage with a range of groups and individuals to ensure that those who are affected by policy or activity are consulted & involved in the design of new policies” 

I didn’t think a school or a work place could discriminate against any individual based upon their appearance, under the 2010 Equivalent Act, Protected Characteristics. I was deeply saddened to see this was not the case. I’m asking people to sign this petition to request a broader change not just on school uniform policy but the equality act itself.

No one should have the right the right to tell you how you should look, if there is no harm to  yourself or others. 

No one should have the right not to progress your application based upon your look. Nor should someone be allowed to dismiss you based upon appearance alone. 

If you’ve read this to the end, and signed this petition thank you.