by Nicola Jordan

Teenager Daniel Smith thought he was a cut above the rest when he went to school sporting a hairstyle fashioned by Mario in The Only Way is Essex.

But he soon got the chop from teachers who described the reality’s TV star’s barnet as “too extreme” for the classroom.

Daniel, 14, turned up at Strood Academy on the last week of term eager to show off his shaven new look, but he got short shrift from staff.

Mum Clare Whalin said: “He was told that if he doesn’t grow it back by the time he goes back in January he can expect to be excluded.

Clare, of Darnley Road, Strood, said her son prides himself in appearance and liked to look “trendy”.

The mum-of-three said: “He is known for always looking immaculate. There’s a boy in the sixth form who’s got a Mario, but they are saying that’s OK because he’s older. That’s just discrimination.”

Clare, who works with adults with learning difficulties, said the school did not take exception to girls wearing jewellery and boys with white trainers.

She said: “Daniel is doing well at school, and I don’t see why he should be penalised for looking smart, It’s certainly not offensive in any way.

“Anyone would think he had dyed his hair purple.”

Clare has since put up a picture of massive TOWIE fan Daniel’s haircut on Facebook and she said had received more than 50 comments.

Richard Hart, principal of the school in Carnation Road, said: “We believe there is a clear link between standards of dress, behaviour and educational outcomes for young people and this is reflected in our policies and procedures that were agreed with the Department of Education when we opened in 2009.

“Our rules state that extreme haircuts or style are not allowed, examples are patterns and unnatural colours.

“In cases where these rules are contravened we ask young people and parents to remedy the situation, as far as is possible and not to infringe the rule in the future.”