A Dunstable schoolboy has been banned from taking part in charity campaign Movember by his school, who say a moustache would be against uniform rules.
Gus Hooker, 13 – who has been shaving since he was nine years old – wanted to take part in Movember to celebrate grandfather Paul, who recently beat cancer.
Gus’ dad Paul said when he phoned Priory Academy to complain he was told Gus was unable to take part because he was one of only a few able to.
After being told he would not be able to organise a face-to-face meeting with the deputy head to discuss the mater further, Paul, a keen blogger, took to the internet to voice his his dismay.
In a post titled ‘Movember Discrimination’, he said: “There is nothing in the uniform policy [about moustaches] and some staff are doing it this year, as they did last year.
“Staff can do what they want with no chance of criticism or question by parents.”
Gus joked: “I just wanted to show off my moustache.”
Gus, who has to shave every day, says his impressive ability to grow facial hair has turned him into something of an urban legend.
He said: “A boy a couple of years below me came up to me once and told me that the one thing he had heard about this school before he came here was my facial hair!”
As a compromise, the Britain Street School has allowed Gus to organise a year 8 charity ‘mufti’ day on November 30, in which students will be allowed to wear fake moustaches with the donation of £1.
Gus added: “It’s a shame because my moustache would’ve raised a lot of money. Everyone wanted me to go for it.”
A spokesman for Priory Academy told the Gazette: “Whilst the Governing Body recognises that charities such as Prostate Cancer UK are very worthy, it can only support fundraising activities that are entirely inclusive.
In a coeducational school with young children, growing facial hair would not be an activity that many children would be able to join in with.
Whilst the school dress code does not explicitly mention facial hair, it does mention unusual hair styles and colouring that are contrary to a smart uniform appearance.
Gus added: “I’m happy and I’m not about about the compromise: I’m about 50-50.”