A TEACHER who was involved in a High Court battle three years ago over a pupil wearing earrings is in a new row - over a 'Mohican' haircut.

Stephen Martin must wear a woolly hat during lunchtimes and playtimes at Cwmfelinfach Primary.

Stephen, ten, had a £30 haircut during his half-term holiday but his head teacher objects to his new style.

The Year 6 pupil must now keep his blond streak and 'Mohican' style under cover and wears a hat when out in the yard, so that younger children do not see his hair and want to copy it.

In March 2001 the High Court backed headmistress Mrs Jennifer Francis who had excluded a girl pupil from school activities, such as PE, dance classes and school trips, while she was wearing earrings.

The parents' lawyers claimed the school had acted unlawfully by denying the girl access to key elements of the national curriculum.

The judge rejected this and said the policy replicated in many schools could not be criticised.

Yesterday Stephen's father, also called Stephen Martin, of Islwyn Road, Wattsville, said he was very annoyed. He said they have also received a letter from the head teacher telling them that their son will not be allowed to represent the school or go on out-of-school visits until his hair is changed.

He said that as Cwmfelinfach did not have a policy on hair, he believed children should be allowed to have their hair as they wanted it. "I think this is very petty, kids are just kids. Let's move with the times and let them enjoy their lives," said Mr Martin, 47. "Stephen looks fine, when he goes to school he wears his hair flat - it is only when he goes out to discos that he spikes it up."

"He always goes into school in his uniform every day but I think choice of hair should be up to the individual, especially at ten years of age." He added Cwmfelinfach was a "fantastic" school and his son, his only child, was very happy there.

Head teacher Mrs Francis said, although the the school did not have a hair policy, it did have a uniform policy - and that included sending children to school in a "tidy appearance".

She told the Argus Stephen's haircut was not suitable for a school with a uniform and said that she has sent a letter to his parents telling them this, and asking them not to have it cut in the same style again.

She stressed Stephen had not been punished nor had any sanctions been taken against him, but he was asked to wear a hat in the playground so younger children did not see his hairstyle and want to copy it.

"The governing body may now have to consider drawing up a policy on hair."