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Great Yarmouth Charter Academy’s head teacher is ruling the school with an iron fist.
The academy hired Barry Smith, who has previously made headlines for imposing extremely strict rules, as its new head teacher last summer in hopes to improve the school’s performance. It was around the same time that the academy ranked among the worst schools in England and Wales. In fact, only 30% of its students passed English and Math in last year’s qualification exam for secondary students.
Recently, the head teacher sent a memo banning certain hairstyles for male students. The banned hairstyles were mostly characterized by long, curly hair at the top and shaved hair on the sides. The memo said that students who do not follow the new policy would either be sent home or get suspended.
The school already displayed photos of the banned styles around its building. But if the parents want to know more about the hairstyles, the school can send them a PowerPoint presentation.
Just a year before the haircut restriction, the head teacher had already implemented several controversial rules in the school. Among these are requiring students to walk in one line in corridors and banning them from using phones and taking toilet breaks during class. Students were even told to use a bucket in case they ever needed to throw up in class.
Prior to the publicity of his extreme policies, Smith sent a letter to parents saying that there would be new disciplinary rules and that he would expect better performance from students.