A MOTHER is refusing to send her daughter back to a Flixton school after accusing staff of 'discriminating' against her 12 year old daughter.

It follows an incident earlier this week, in which Saffron Broom, of Glastonbury Road, Stretford, was ordered to tie her Afro style hair up or face being disciplined at Flixton Girls School.

Now her mum Vanessa, believes that her daughter, who has learning difficulties, is being picked on for no good reason and will only return her when the matter is resolved.

Mrs Broom said: "She was told by one teacher there was no problem with her Afro hairstyle, while another teacher said she would have to put it into a bobble. "It is not like her hair is on her shoulders and is approximately an inch and a half above, but now the school is insisting she ties up her hair.

"She has learning difficulties and in the scheme of things there are bigger battles she needs to overcome, and I believe they are discriminating against her.

"I had to pick her up from school earlier this week and she was really upset. When I raised the issue and how upset she was with a member of staff she sarcastically remarked: 'Oh really; over a bobble'!"

"Until this matter is resolved, I am not going to allow her back to school."

Flixton Girls, whose motto is 'Inspiring girls to discover their talents and fulfil their potential through founding principles of aspiration, empowerment and excellence', issues advice to parents on its website, which states that for health and safety reasons any girl with long hair is expected to wear it neatly tied back with plain black hair bands.

A Flixton Girls spokeswoman told The Messenger: "The school is following its complaints procedure, which is in the first place to listen to parents through a meeting which has been scheduled later in the week.

"In the meantime, the parents have a legal responsibility to send their daughter to school."