TWO schoolboys who shaved their heads for charity were slung into isolation when they turned up to school.

Billy Howard and Joe Moon, both 15, were also told they would be kept in at breaks and lunchtimes until their hair grows back.

The youngsters, who go to Gable Hall School, Stanford-le-Hope, managed to raise £500 for St Luke’s Hospice, Basildon, by having the haircuts.

They got permission from the school beforehand, and were even sponsored by headteacher Dr Sophina Asong.

However, they claim to have misunderstood the shortest their haircut could be was shaved on a number two setting – an eighth of an inch shorter than the school allows.

After having their hair clipped in front of friends and family at Billy’s home, in Branksome Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope on Tuesday, a teacher ordered the boys into isolation on Wednesday morning.

Billy’s parents were so angry with the school’s decision their son was home-schooled yesterday, while Joe, who lives in Corringham, was allowed special permission to attend a school drama trip to London.

Billy’s mum, Sally, 45, said: “We’re angry. It’s such a shame the boys were put in isolation for the day. They will be in for all breaks until it grows out, even though Dr Asong sponsored the boys.

“Apparently, only a number three is allowed and they had a number two.

“We are so proud of the boys and they should not be hidden away as they did it for such a good cause.”

In a letter sent to the school, Billy’s dad, Gary, 45, expressed disappointment at the decision and asked what values the school was teaching.

He said: “They have shown responsibility and creativity for a good cause. Now they can’t even collect their sponsorship from their fellow pupils.”

Gable Hall headteacher Dr Sophina Asong said: “The school’s support for St Luke’s Hospice and the service it provides to our community is whole hearted.

“The decision by two students to raise sponsorship by shaving their heads was approved by the school, provided it conformed to the school behaviour code.

“On the day the students came into school with their heads shaved, they admitted to staff they had knowingly flouted the code and it is for this reason that they ended up being taught in isolation.”