The school’s not lovin’ it - furore over banned ‘meet me at McDonald’s’ hairstyle

Norfolk pop-soul artist Mullally sports a similar haircut to the 'meet me at McDonalds' trend. Picture: Foresty Commission (Image: Archant)

Charter Academy has written to parents underlining its policy on styles, singling out variations on the tousled, teenage look which features short sides and floppy fringe, as unacceptable.

The letter says boys who do not change their hair in line with school uniform policy by Monday will be sent home or put in isolation.

Since receiving the letter some parents have taken to social media to express their outrage and also bemusement over what is being described by a 'meet me at Mcdonalds.'

To help, the school in Salisbury Road is showing examples of unacceptable hairstyles on display boards around the building and says it is happy to provide families with a PowerPoint of styles to avoid.

MORE: Schoolgirl sent home for wearing fake eyelashesPosting the letter on social media Karen Leeder described it as 'absolutely ridiculous.'

Her sentiments were echoed by Rachael Havens who said: 'You can't take time off sick as it affects your education..but they will happily send you home because they don't like your hairstyle.'

And Sophia Soares said: 'I think it is all getting silly now, a hairstyle does not affect a child's learning.'

Unacceptable hairstyles for boys include:

• Noticeably longer tops that are not layered in and combined with sharply contrasting sides and back.

• Variations on the style often known as 'Meet me at McDonalds'

• Overgrown, heavy fringes brushed forward onto the face

• High top styles of excessive height

• Shaven parting lines

• Hair that is teased to give excessive height

• Any variation on a Mohican hairstyle

Girls hair is said to be 'generally not a problem at Charter' and the letter stresses pupils have been reminded about hairstyles since before Christmas.

The school hit the headlines in September when its new headteacher Barry Smith introduced tough new rules and uniform expectations.

Charter Academy is part of the Inspiration Trust's chain of schools.

Its spokesman declined to comment.