STUDENTS from a school in Launceston have reacted strongly to news that a fellow classmate has been put in isolation for an ‘extreme haircut’, after raising over £850 for Cancer Research UK through a sponsored head shave.

Fifteen-year-old Taylor Jones, who attends Launceston College and is due to sit his GCSE exams in less than a month’s time, was more than surprised when he returned to school after the Easter holidays to be told he was being put in isolation in IER (internal exclusion room) for an ‘extreme haircut’. He was then told he would not be able to return to his lessons until his hair had grown back to a suitable length, despite his Year 11 GCSE exams being just weeks away.

Taylor had reportedly been growing his hair for weeks, in preparation for his challenge, and during the Easter holidays, he shaved off his ‘unruly’ mass of curls, as a way to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

He returned to education after the holiday, having made an astonishing £850 for the cause, but was greeted with little praise from the school.

It seems the entire Launceston community has reacted strongly to news of Taylor’s isolation, after his school friend posted an angry status on the Facebook page, Launceston Notice Board.

In the post, it states: “We thought our school (Launceston College) wouldn’t mind what he had done as it was for a good cause. Apparently the fact that he’s raised over £850 wasn’t good enough and before he had even gotten to his first lesson they put him in isolation.

“This is not only bad because of the fact it was for cancer but also that his GCSE’s are coming up and they’re making him miss out on vital lessons that could boost his chances of being successful in them.

“Personally I don’t think it’s fair to punish a student for trying to do something that should be celebrated just because our school is so caught up in its own image.”

Taylor’s mother, Lesley Jones, has reportedly said that the school could have made ‘an exception’ on this occasion.

Launceston College have since released a statement, and have said that Taylor will spend four days in isolation until his hair grows back to a suitable length for him to return to lessons. He will receive tuition from qualified teachers during this time.

Principal Bryan Maywood said: “Launceston College respects Taylor’s impressive collection made for Cancer Research, but unfortunately it was not planned with college expectations in mind.

“Launceston College has the highest expectations possible for our students, judged outstanding by Ofsted at our last inspection. We will not lower those expectations but will increase the level of support available to help meet them. Taylor will be provided with individual specialist tuition from experienced qualified teachers for the four days he will not be in lessons with his peers. After this period his hair will no longer be considered an extreme hairstyle; he will return to normal lessons.”

According to the college, Taylor was advised before the holidays to have his hair cut to a ‘very short, but acceptable, length’ and was asked to undertake this at the start of the Easter break. However, he ‘went against this advice, having it cut extremely short in the days immediately before the term began’. The college has said that if he had followed this advice, there would have been ‘no sanction’ issued.

A college spokesperson added: “On two separate occasions this academic year, members of the college community — a sixth former and a teacher — have also undertaken ‘Brave the Shave’ events, with Mrs Spink raising over £3,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support. On each of these occasions the request for permission, good communication and planning allowed both the charity work and the widely understood and clear expectations for 1,300 Launceston College students to work hand in hand. Both of these shaves took place at the end of term and prior to a two-week holiday.”

Support for Taylor has continued, with #FreeTaylor spreading across social media and more donations flying in to Taylor’s new Just Giving page. From £850, an already astonishing total, he has now raised over £2,500 on his page.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Taylor-Jones2. The Post has reached out to Taylor’s family, and is awaiting a response.