Private school faces backlash for sending black student home for having 'unnatural hair'

Students told they are not allowed to have extensions or hairpieces

Eleven-year-old Faith is seen in the video visibly upset at being asked to leave (Steve Fennidy/Screengrab)

A private school in the US is facing a backlash after it sent a black student home for having “unnatural hair”.

Video footage shows eleven-year-old Faith Fennidy in tears as she is forced to leave her classroom at the Christ the King Parish School in Louisiana for having braided hair.

The school said students were not allowed to have extensions or hairpieces and Faith would therefore have to change her hairstyle.

In the video, which has been viewed more than two million times, Faith’s mother can be heard asking teachers to explain their decision, asking: "What's wrong with her hair? Her hair is fine.”

Faith’s brother, Steven, said she had been wearing similar braids to the school for the last two years and does so because it makes her hair easier to maintain.

“Over the summer the school has sneakily added in a policy that no extensions, clip-ins or weaves are allowed…Extensions make the hair easier to maintain. It allows my sister to have access to the swimming pool without having to get her hair re-done every night,” Mr Fennidy wrote on Facebook.

The family has accused the school of racism and said they are considering suing for discrimination.

They are also looking for another school for Faith to attend.

In a statement the Archdiocese of New Orleans said the school's policy allowed only "natural hair".

"This policy was communicated to all parents during the summer and again before the first day of school, and was applied to all students,” the statement said.

"The school offered the student's family an opportunity to comply with the uniform and dress policy and the family chose to withdraw the student; the student was not suspended or expelled."