WHEN Charlotte Duggan had a big hair cut that raised hundreds of pounds for a cancer charity, she felt that the close shave was worth it.

But things turned sour for the 12-year-old when she returned to Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College (CBEC), in Basing-stoke, and found herself in trouble after falling foul of the school’s rules.

As reported in last week’s Gazette, Charlotte had her long brown hair cut and shaved off on Friday, August 30, to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign.

The plucky Year 8 pupil raised more than £1,000 through the fundraiser after being inspired by her grandmother who successfully fought breast cancer nine years ago.

After the grade two head shave, Charlotte, from Ferndown Close, Beggarwood, had a ribbon – the symbol of the breast cancer charity – shaved closer into her head.

But when she returned to CBEC, in Wessex Close, last Thursday, she was stunned when teachers put her in isolation.

She was unable to attend classes, go out for break or lunchtime, except for a brief trip to a canteen, and was kept away from her friends and classmates.

The punishment lasted for two days, but last Friday, Charlotte was allowed to choose a friend to join her in isolation. She returned to lessons as normal on Monday.

Charlotte said it had not crossed her mind that she would be punished by the school for the fundraising stunt.

She said: “I only decided to do it at the beginning of August so I couldn’t have even asked them for permission.

“Isolation is supposed to be for bad behaviour. I was upset and I don’t know how it will affect my education.”

Charlotte’s mum Kerry Duggan, 31, said: “I couldn’t believe it when she told me what had happened.

“She should be proud of what she has done – she should be able to hold her head up high. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that they made her feel like she had done something wrong.”

Kerry, who works as a school cook, added: “She was upset by what happened – it was humiliating for her.”

CBEC headteacher Betty Elkins said that the school is all in favour of students fundraising, but added Charlotte had broken school rules, which state that patterns in the hair are not permitted and that hair should be no shorter than grade three.

Mrs Elkins said: “We asked if Charlotte would be able to cover up the pattern on Friday, but that wasn’t something her parents thought was acceptable.

“On Friday, when Charlotte was in isolation, she was working on an assembly about her fundraising which she will be presenting to the whole school, and this will hopefully mean she will raise even more money.”

She added that the whole school had received a letter prior to the summer holidays, reminding them about appropriate hairstyles.