A teenager was yesterday studying at home after her plum-coloured hair landed her in hot water with her headmaster.

Danielle Peacock, 14, of Ferndale Crescent, Canvey, was sent home from Furtherwick Park School because her new hair colour breached school rules.

Headteacher Chris Richardson gave Danielle the option to either stay in isolation and work alone at school until the dye faded, or be suspended.

Her irate mum, Tracey, decided to keep her at home because she claimed her daughter had done nothing wrong, even though the school said she had broken the rules.

When Danielle first dyed her hair, Mrs Peacock agreed that her locks were a bit bright and when the school in Furtherwick Road sent her home, her mum bought another dye to tone it down and returned to school with her the following day.

Mrs Peacock said: "The headteacher said Danielle's hair looked much better but another teacher disagreed and the head said that Danielle would either have to go into isolation or stay at home.

"There was no way I would have her sitting on her own at school. That is a punishment for children who misbehave and Danielle has done nothing wrong.

"I am fuming. My daughter is in Year 10 and it is a very important year for her."

Headteacher Mr Richard-son said: "A judgement has to be made on issues like this. I asked for a second opinion and a senior teacher took Danielle outside to check her hair in the light.

"Danielle is welcome to come back to school but will have to stay in isolation until the colour wears outs. I gave her the choice and her mother decided to keep her at home."

He added: "I am not an expert on hair dye but we have a colour policy at the school that as long as the hair is natural-looking, we allow it.

"I do not think people are born with plum-coloured hair. Danielle had been given work from her subject teachers to do while she is at home."

But Mrs Peacock said she did not want Danielle to miss her lessons.

She said: "This is absolutely ridiculous. There are children at the school with bleached hair and dreadlocks with beads.

"We have done what we can to put the situation right and Danielle's hair is now perfectly acceptable. This is an important year for her to start working for her GCSE's. She should be at school."

Colour clash - Danielle Peacock, 14, is missing out on lessons because of the shade of her hair

Picture: ANDY PALMER

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.