Scottish government issues new advice to schools on hairstyle rules

The Scottish Government has issued new advice on school rules, and for the first time, this includes a guide on pupil hairstyles.

The advice aims to stop pupils being treated unfairly over how they wear their hair, relating to things like religion, disability, or race.

For example, banning all pupils from wearing their hair in braids, locks or as a natural afro hairstyle might be against laws on discrimination.

The advice from the Scottish Government says "It is important that teachers and school staff are supported to recognise and understand the links between different hair types and styles, race and cultural identity and the potential for hair discrimination in uniform policies".

De-Graft has been to meet some pupils whose hair is an important part of who they are, and finds out what the advice is across the four nations of the UK.