In having meaningful conversations, it is imperative that we listen which you'll find a lot of in these episodes. In this Part 1 Episode, we listen to the story of Ruby from her parents Kate and Len Williams. This sadly caused a lot of undue stress over a prolonged period of time.
- Should it have happened and should any one head teacher wield so much authority and power?
- What is the role of the governing body, teachers and authorities? With Kate being a teacher and Len a former governor, they knew what actions to initiate and so we can imagine parents without some of their knowledge and experience to inform them on what steps to take.
Take that into account while listening. The school uniform policy is non-statutory, (hair and how it is worn is included) however should a school decide to have one there is guidance provided by the Department For Education (DFE) which sets out clearly:
- Each school decides its uniform and must not discriminate based on sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief.
Read more here: https://www.gov.uk/school-uniform
It was great to hear that Ruby was allowed to go on her own hair journey where she discovered overly applying heat was damaging and then later decided to embrace her natural fro. So when a head teacher asks her to consider chemically relaxing her hair to conform, was this appropriate?
Advice: Always put your concerns in writing. Writing letters is essential when making a case/complaint and can be referred to for evidence. You can read on the story back in February here. Ghana braids are as also called corn/cane rows depending on which region of blackness you come from. The comparison of afro hair to Kevin Keegan's hair goes to show the sheer lack of knowledge and education on the subject.
Catch you on the next episode.
Guests:
Len and Kate Williams, Parents (Self-employed & Teacher respectively)
Emmanuel Korboe, Teacher, Head of Department & Incoming Associate Assistant Head - Secondary School
Michael Jordan, Chair of Governors - Primary School
