James Hunt wears his hair long in memory of his late grandfather, Paul, who also ran into issues because of his long hair.

A mother is battling prestigious Auckland Grammar School over the length of her 11-year-old son's hair.

Heidi Hunt's son James has golden blonde hair sweeping his shoulders.

By his mum's account, he's a star student. He excels in maths and creative writing, is a talented singer, and won the title of New Zealand's top recreational cricketer with 29.48 MVP points in early March.

PETER MEECHAM/STUFF Auckland Grammar School headmaster Tim O'Connor said the school's rules would not change.

But he isn't allowed to attend Auckland Grammar School - and all because of the length of his hair, she said.

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She wrote a five-page letter to Auckland Grammar to find out where they sat on the matter, but they never responded, she said.

SUPPLIED/ANNE HUNT James keeps his hair long as a tribute to his grandfather, Paul - pictured - who was expelled from school for his signature locks.

Hunt was enraged to learn that James, currently in year 7, would have to cut his hair or "find a different school," despite having lived in the coveted Grammar zone throughout his schooling.

Section 11d of the Education Act 1989 states that a person who lives in the home zone of a school that has an enrolment scheme is entitled at any time to enrol at that school.

So it is his "statutory right," living in zone, to go to Grammar, she said in the letter.

FAIRFAX NZ Lucan Battison took his school to the High Court after being suspended for his long hair, and won.

James wears his hair long in memory of his late grandfather Paul Hunt - who was expelled from Freyberg High School, in Palmerston North, because his own shoulder-length hair broke school rules.

James' grandmother, Anne Hunt, said James' hair is important to him because it connects him to the grandfather he never got to meet.

Hunt said James would be devastated if he had to cut his hair.

"It's his identity."

"This rule has got to go," she said.

Heidi Hunt's letter to the school referred to the suspension of 16-year-old student Lucan Battison in 2014.

Battison took the principal and the Board of Trustees of St John's College in Hastings to the High Court after being suspended for wearing his hair long, and won.

The court found the Hastings school's rules on hair length were vague and uncertain.

Justice David Collins concluded that any school would need to give "very careful consideration" as to whether any hair rule would breach a student's rights to "autonomy, individual dignity and his rights to freedom of expression" affirmed by s14 of the Bill of Human Rights Act.

But Auckland Grammar School headmaster Tim O'Connor told NZME the rule would not change.

"We articulate our rules very, very clearly, and they are fair and reasonable, and it's up to parents whether or not they would like to send their boys to Grammar with all of that information in mind."

Hunt questioned why issues around identity and self-expression were at a standstill.

"I wouldn't allow James to attend a school that still applies the same rules that resulted in his grandfather's expulsion fifty years ago," she said.

"I don't know why [O'Connor] is so stubborn about it."

Ministry of Education spokeswoman Katrina Casey said Board of Trustees have the power to make and enforce school rules on a wide-range of matters such as uniforms and appearance, including hair length.

She said schools are generally very clear about their expectations and rules, so parents can make informed choices when deciding which school to send their children to.

Hunt said although a school's Board of Trustees may have complete discretion to control the management of a school as it sees fit, they don't have the authority to impose a school rule that applies to hours or activities outside of school time.

Put simply, you can't reattach hair after the school day ends.

"Go cut your hair, and then tell me what to do with my sons."

Despite numerous attempts, Tim O'Connor could not be contacted for comment.

GRAMMAR RULES ON STUDENT GROOMING

"A student's hair needs to be clean and short enough to ensure it does not touch his shirt collar. Hair should be no shorter than a 'number 2' and should not be long enough to be tied up in any form.

The student's fringe should be short enough to ensure hair is kept out of his eyes when combed straight down.

Natural hair colour must be maintained (no dyed hair), and extreme hairstyles including, but not restricted to a mohawk, afro, shaved patterns, shaved hair styles, braided hair are not permitted. Sideburns must not extend beyond the earlobe.

All students are also required to be clean shaven."

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