‘Overly’ Red-Haired Girl Banned From School Due To Hair Color

Emily Reay, a 17-year-old student with bright red hair, has been suspended because her hair is simply “too ginger,” according to her school.

Trinity School in Carlisle, England, has stopped Emily Reay from attending classes and lessons until she tones down her hair because they believe that it’s inappropriate.

However, Ms. Reay and her family have insisted that she’s had this color hair for over three years. Emily Reay is a natural redhead. However, she actually brightens her hair.

Emily Reay was told of the decision when she returned to the school after the Easter holidays. This is despite the fact that she is currently hard at work studying to complete her A-level examinations, the results of which will ultimately determine which university she’ll attend.

Reay, who insists that her hairstyle is her trademark, won’t be allowed to re-enter the classroom until her hair is altered.

“I was very angry at first,” Reay admitted. “And then burst into tears. I’ve had the same color for the past three years, and nobody at school has commented on it.”

“Everybody knows me as that ‘young ginger singer.’ For me it is a confidence thing. If I had to dye my hair brown, I would lose this,” Emily added.

Emily’s parents have stood by their daughter, who they insist hasn’t done anything wrong and is particularly heartbroken by the school’s decision. “They had her in tears,” 44-year-old Mrs Reay explained. “They do not realise what her hair means to her… The school’s uniform policy clearly states no unnatural hair colors, like blue or green. But is ginger not a natural hair color?”

Mrs. Reay also added that there is an extra irony to this situation when one considers the character that Emily is supposed to be playing in the school adaptation of We Will Rock You.

“The irony is she is playing Scaramouche in the school’s adaptation of We Will Rock You, which is about society suppressing people’s creativity and self-expression,” she explained.

Emily Reay has insisted that she’s offered various alternatives to the school’s request to change her hair color, but the institution won’t budge.

“I had to dye my hair to a more natural color, or tone it down considerably,” Emily remarked. “I offered to pin it up, or wear a beanie hat, but I was told ‘no’ to both.”

Emily plans on returning to school with her hair pinned up as she hopes not to miss out on any important classes.

[Image via Telegraph]