A PUPIL who had his head shaved to raise money for Children in Need was sent out of class.

And Ryan Callaghan's father Martin has now removed his son from St Bede's RC High School, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, in anger at his son's treatment.

But deputy head Des Callaghan (no relation) said he was disappointed at Mr Callaghan's decision as the school had a "consistent" policy on close crops.

After turning up to school on Friday with the number two cut, Ryan, 15, was sent to the 'retreat' - where disruptive and badly behaved pupils are taught.

But when Mr Callaghan heard what had happened he removed Ryan from school as he said he was not prepared to have his son mixing with the "sort of students" in the retreat.

Mr Callaghan, of Radford Street, Darwen said: "My son had mentioned that he needed his hair cutting and a couple of friends and I suggested he should get sponsorship for Children in Need.

"It was not a silly hair cut, it was shaved at number two all over, and he raised £50 in sponsorship.

"I can't believe it he's such a good boy. He doesn't smoke, he doesn't take drugs, or drink alcohol.

"He has a select few friends and he loves school."

Mr Callaghan said he would have understood if his son had a mohican or dyed his hair green.

He added: "I am not prepared for being sent to the retreat because I don't want him associating with those sort of pupils which why I took him out of the school.

"People are always getting on at kids to do good things.

"All he has done is have his hair cut for a good cause - he has done nothing wrong."

Deputy head Mr Callaghan said the school raised money for charity throughout the year and that pupils had to meet uniform and appearance standards.

He added: "Our policy is a consistent one, when students come in with shaven heads or close crops we put them in the retreat until it has grown long enough.

"Clearly we are disappointed that Mr Callaghan has felt the need to take Ryan out of school."

He added that the year-11 pupil's hair would probably be long enough by today for Ryan to be admitted back to normal lessons.