A NEW haircut for a new term is a regular part of life for many youngsters.

But when Thomas Dolan returned from his Easter break sporting a new Mohican-style haircut, the eight-year-old received more than just a few raised eyebrows.

Teachers found the haircut too much to handle in the classroom and now the pupil has been forced to cover up the new style with a school hat.

Bosses at Wildground Junior School in Dibden Purlieu decided to cap the Mohican haircut when another pupil liked it so much that he too had the chop.

Head teacher John Wright said the hats need to be worn because the hairstyle would take attention away from children's work, and they would be too busy focusing on their hair.

But the move has angered Thomas's parents, who say it is ridiculous to claim that their son's haircut could disrupt a lesson, especially when other pupils have colourings and braids in their hair which would be just as distracting.

Mum Sarah Dolan, who owns Serenade Hair and Nail Salon in Hythe High Street, said she gave her son the hairstyle to boost his self-confidence.

"When people see Thomas they always comment on how short he is, but his new haircut takes attention away from that, and now he is much more confident."

"It's a load of rubbish that it takes attention away from their work," she said.

"The other children only caused a fuss when Thomas was made to wear the hat, and now he doesn't want to go to school because they are making fun of him."

"I could understand there being a problem if I had given him giant blue spikes, but it is a nice tidy cut and I just can't see what the fuss is about."

Also faced with wearing a cap is seven-year-old Dillon Turner.

The young classmate had his hair cut in the same way after admiring Thomas's new style that was based on a look made popular by David Beckham a few years ago.

Dillon's mum, Kerryann Turner, said the teachers had overreacted.

"It's ridiculous," she said. "They are just labelling them under the stereotype of a hooligan, and it is completely unnecessary. They are just young boys who like to be like their football hero.

"If they are going to single them out by making them wear hats surely they are going to be more disruptive then just getting a few looks," she added.

The two boys have now got to keep their heads covered while in school, until their hair grows back.

Mr Wright added: "It is important to us that all of our pupils comply with our guidelines to ensure that they feel equally part of the school and that appropriate standards are maintained."