Braided schoolgirl Faye Cowig is still not back in the classroom despite taking out her controversial plaits.

After six weeks off school, the 15-year-old has relented and taken out the braids.

But she will not be allowed back to lessons unless she re-enrols at The John Bramston School in Witham.

Faye and her friend Chloe Hazlewood, also 15, were told they could not attend lessons unless they removed their plaits.

At first they objected, then yesterday they turned up at school minus the braids.

But headteacher Ted Rowley told them both to go home because they had to re-enrol, due to being off for such a long period of time.

Faye's mum Janie Cowig, 39, thinks the school was being "ridiculous".

She said: "She went into school and was told by a teacher that she wasn't on the register and she should go and see the headteacher."

Faye decided to take the £85 plaits out after realising "the only one that was losing out was her".

Mrs Cowig, of Glebe Cresent, Witham, added: "She wanted to be back at school with all her friends."

Both Faye's mum and Chloe's dad Paul Hazlewood, 40, have said they did not receive any warning to inform them if the girls did not return to school by a certain date they would have to re-apply.

Mrs Cowig received a letter from the headteacher on Monday morning but Faye had already left to go to the Spinks Lane school.

The letter said she would have to re-enrol but Mr Hazlewood says he has not yet received anything.

Mr Rowley said: "I wrote to the parents last week saying that since the girls had not attended school since mid-January, I assume they've made other arrangements for their education."

A meeting was due to be held with the parents and the girls today to try and resolve the situation

Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002