A girl was sent home from school on her first day back for her leopard print hairstyle.

Lauren Mcdowell, 13, has her head shaved on one side which is dyed brown and blonde in the pattern of a leopard's skin.

On her first day of the new term, Forge Valley School in Sheffield, told her to leave classes.

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Lauren Mcdowell, 13, showing the haircut she was sent home for, at Forge Valley School in Stannington, Sheffield

Yvonne Mcdowell, left, has hit out after her 13-year-old daughter, Lauren, left, was sent home on the first day of the new term

Ms Mcdowell, who said she was not aware of a school policy on haircuts, said the style was something the Year 8 pupil, pictured, had been requesting for some time

The school says it has a 'very clear uniform policy' which includes hairstyles, but Lauren's mother Yvonne believes it breaches her human rights and is refusing to change her daughter's hairstyle.

The mother-of-six said: 'As far as I'm concerned it's a breach of my daughter's human rights.

'She had the hair cut about a week before she went back to school. No one has the right to tell someone what to do with their body. It is her body.

'She is my child and not theirs. She didn't sign away her rights when she started at school.

'The school says they encourage children as individuals but this is not supporting her. Lauren has a life outside of school.

'Lauren was bullied at school and it has taken her a while to build up her confidence. She is devastated.

'She loves school. She is not a bad pupil. She works hard. What has her hair got to do with her education?

'I have explained to the school that I can understand its uniform policy and I totally agree with it but you cannot tell anyone how their hair should be styled.

'They are discriminating against her because of how she looks. She has the right to express herself in whatever way she wants as long as she is in school uniform.

'They are refusing my child an education. She was in school wanting to learn.'

Forge Valley School in Stannington in Sheffield where Lauren Mcdowell attends

Now the mum, right, is refusing to change Lauren's, left, leopard print hairstyle as she believes it breaches her daughter's human rights

Headteacher Dale Barrowclough said: 'The policy clearly states that extreme haircuts, including hair colour are not allowed'

Headteacher Dale Barrowclough said: 'This policy is communicated to parent frequently and is available to download from our website.

'The policy clearly states that extreme haircuts, including hair colour are not allowed.

'A pupil arrived at school with a 'leopard skin hair colour' style.

'I took the decision to send the pupil home in order to remedy this breach of the school's uniform policy.

'I appreciate a school must balance the rights of individual pupils against the best interests of the school community as a whole.

'My decision to ask the pupil in question to remedy the hair colour is done on grounds of school cohesion and good order.

'Rare instances of bullying are dealt with by school and its dedicated pastoral team quickly and effectively.'

Ms Mcdowell, who said she was not aware of a school policy on haircuts, said the style was something the Year 8 pupil had been requesting for some time.