Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis, an academy trust operating numerous schools in England, has called for an end to schools dictating student hairstyles. He described the idea that tight regulation leads to 'moral fibre' as 'outdated'.
Conversely, Glen Thompson, head of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Alford, Lincolnshire, insists all his students tie back long hair and adopt 'sensible' haircuts. He noted that his predecessor's study suggested students performed better when not fidgeting.
Dr Carole Campbell, an educational psychologist, stated with confidence that haircut policies do not exist in Scottish schools and expressed shock that they remain in England. She asserted there is no link between student haircuts and learning outcomes, and that rigid policies could harm neurodivergent children.
Students and parents also expressed varied opinions. Some students believe they should be able to choose their hairstyles as long as they are not distracting, while parents suggested policies can be 'quite extreme' and that hairstyles are an 'expression of the person'.