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Schoolboy Felix Kramer's new term lasted less than an hour yesterday - when he was sent home for having a one-inch ginger fringe.

Felix Kramer, 15, had the end of his brown hair bleached by the sun over summer.

Teachers admitted he had not dyed it in breach of school rules but booted him out anyway until he gets it trimmed.

The GCSE pupil said: "I was five minutes late for assembly when a senior teacher took me aside and said I had to go home.

"I didn't even have time to see my friends.

"I was shocked as my hair goes like this every year, but they said it wasn't acceptable.

"My dad was quite angry about it and said I should get the school to pay for my haircut."

His father Ian furiously phoned up Isleworth and Syon School in West London, but teachers refused to budge.

The graphic designer, 58, fumed: "They accepted he hadn't dyed his hair but said he couldn't come back until it was sorted out.

"They were apologetic but told me rules are rules. I couldn't believe it when they told me.

"Felix's fringe goes blond and ginger in the sunshine and the same happens to me.

"Perhaps it would be different if he had dyed it blue or green, but it's all natural.

"He's not the kind of lad who would kick up a fuss but he's worried he will be disadvantaged as this is an important exam year for him."

However, school head Euan Ferguson defended the tough stance. Mr Ferguson insisted: "We are very proud of the high standards we set.

"My staff and I continue to monitor these standards on a daily basis to ensure that our high expectations are met."

Felix will return next week after getting the fringe trimmed.

13% of Scots are natural redheads