A SCHOOL has come under fire again for refusing to accommodate pupils with tramline haircuts.

Two 13-year-old cousins with the trendy hairstyles have been told by Bassaleg Comprehensive, Newport, to cut them out or get out.

Mother Rachel Newbury is furious her son Ashley Barton and his cousin Zac Perriam have been sent home for sporting what the school considers are unacceptable styles.

Teachers have informed the family that as long as the tramlines remain, the boys are either suspended or must be taught in isolation from other pupils.

The stance follows similar controversy reported in the Argus on May 28, when 15-year-old Shane Pocock was also told to go home or work in isolation because of his tramline haircut.

Ms Newbury, from Church Crescent, Newport, believes the school is being unreasonable and has cited what she says are far worse hairstyle 'offenders' going unpunished.

"I have seen pupils there with long hippy-style hair, gothic hair and even beards," she said.

"And yet these boys have a nice tidy haircut and they're being sent home. "The teacher on the phone told us that tramlines led to logos or slogans but we are talking about two straight lines here.

"If they were really awful then it would be fair enough but in this case they're making a fuss over nothing. The school told us they'd sent letters out stating their policy but I haven't received one and I don't know any parent that has.

The boys' grandmother, Ann Barton, also voiced her disgust. "It's ridiculous they cannot go to school without being forced to work in isolation, just because of a haircut," she said.

Bassaleg School did not want to comment about the cousins. But last week, deputy head teacher Wyn Hughes said: "We take great pride in the appearance of our boys and girls and tramlines is something we do not approve of."