A NEWPORT school is being accused of "over-reacting" for isolating a teenager from lessons because his new haircut breached school rules.

Shane Pocock, 15, a pupil at Bassaleg Comprehensive School said he was kept in a small windowless room all day after turning up for school with his new haircut which had 'tram lines'.

His mother Julie Pocock, of Silver Firs Close, Rogerstone, said the school had over-reacted after her son was faced with a second day in isolation yesterday.

Mrs Pocock said: "I appreciate that schools have rules but if his hair cut was that bad then surely he could have just been sent home - not shut in a small room that he said was no bigger than a cupboard when the weather is as warm as it is.

"It just seems like a complete over reaction. He went to school yesterday and was told the same would happen so we just brought him home. It seems a bit extreme over such a trivial matter."

The school said it has a strict policy on uniform and haircuts - which they say has the backing of most parents - and made headlines a decade ago when a row broke out over a pupil whose hair was dyed pink.

Deputy headteacher Wyn Hughes said: "We have a system in place where if someone comes in with a bizarre or out of the ordinary haircut it is our policy to isolate them.

"We take great pride in the appearance of our boys and girls. Tram lines is something that we do not approve of.

"In isolation they sit outside the head of year's room and are supervised doing the work from the lesson he should be attending."