A PUPIL has missed nearly four months of lessons because he is refusing to back down in an ongoing row with his school over his eyebrow stud.

Paul Rock (14), of Westwood Road is missing out on essential education but said that he is not prepared to take out his eyebrow stud while his fellow pupils at Westwood St Thomas school, who wear various types of jewellery, are allowed to keep theirs.

His father, Paul Rock, is convinced that the rules are not consistent and that there are other pupils who are still allowed into lessons despite their jewellery.

The school takes a tough stance on uniform rules, which were agreed by governors after consultation with parents.

The rules state that eyebrow studs should not be worn in school and those disobeying the rules will be sent home.

Headmaster, Alan Hinchliffe, said: "Paul was one of five pupils in his year group who started to wear an eyebrow stud when in school.

"Four of the pupils wearing these studs stopped wearing them straight away but Paul, with the support of his parents, refuses to take the stud out."

Mr Rock said he is sure that there are other pupils with earrings and eyebrow piercings who are not being sent away from the school.

Paul has been attending school every day but is always sent home because of the eyebrow stud.

Mr Rock said: "He's had hardly any time off school except as a result of this.

"I have asked Paul to take the stud out but he says he wants to keep his fashion.

"He paid £20 for it so I'm not going to make him take it out."

With the GCSEs looming ever closer, Paul acknowledges that he is missing out on an important time in his academic life.

He said: "I am not sure how I'll get on in my exams but I won't take out my stud until there is the same rule for everyone."

Mr Hinchliffe said that parents have been very supportive of the school's approach to school uniform and the school staff have appreciated their support.

Paul's parents did sign an agreement saying that Paul would follow the school uniform rule and the school has no plans to make any exceptions to the rules.

Mr Hinchliffe added: "We are ready to teach Paul when he follows the uniform guidance.

"He is a well-behaved, pleasant pupil who needs to start his GCSE courses.

"It is important that these issues can be dealt with clearly and simply to allow us to focus on the important business of teaching and learning."