School hair cut policy - what do I ask the barber for?

[FallenSky]

DS is starting secondary school on Tuesday and needs a haircut. His hair is currently a bit wild, he has asd and sensory issues so hair cuts are an issue and thankfully primary school have not cared how his hair looked so he tends to go 8-10 weeks without a cut. Secondary have this policy -

"Haircuts and hairstyles must be of a conservative style and cut to a uniform and moderate length, without creating a crop, Mohican or layered effect. There should be no lines or patterns cut into the hair. Naturally curly or similar types of hair must also be of moderate length."

I have no idea what to ask for at the barbers. Usually he just has a trim to keep it out of his eyes but I presume a proper style will be needed now?

Sorry for the boring subject but I have no clue!

No3 or No4 all over keep it simple.

Or No3 back and sides with slightly longer top cut with scissors.

My DS always had no2 at sides, no4 on top, it’ll last awhile as it’s short.

I'd go in and say, he's off to secondary school. Please can you tidy him up but not too short. And decide if you want clippers up the back or just cut. Both will be acceptable but scissors will leave it a little longer. Also tell them if he usually has a parting and where. Just explain what you said here and the barber will look after you both.

Will he tolerate the clippers or is it scissors only? If he will have the clippers you could ask for a ‘grade’ on the back and sides (grade 1 is the shortest at 1/8 inch and it goes up to grade 8 which is an inch long) and scissors on top. If he will only have the scissors then I think just talk to the barber and ask for as short & smart a cut he can do with the scissors, suitable for school.

DS school very similiar - we just ask for short back n sides - not too short.... as a lot of the boys have v short here and DS hates the feel of clippers..... so used to say no clippers he would rather have more frequent trims than a clipper cut..(he can cope with it now so will accept edges done with clipper)

if the back n sides werent too unruly I took him to a hairdresser for a fringe trim
a friends child with sensory issues goes to a hairdresser as also hates clippers (they buzz/vibrate) - they go early and the hairdresser turns the loud music off and child watches tablet ...
another doesnt mind clippers so they bought some and do at home..

Short back and sides-no 4 and top slightly longer cut with scissors

'moderate length' reads to me as no No1 or No 2 and not at waist level but anything else in between is fine as long as it is neat and tidy.
(Unless it is a boys only school). If girls can have pony tails then so can boys.
I'd go for something that won't need doing again until Christmas.

Thanks for the replies, it's an all boys school. He hates the clippers although used to tolerate them until a mole at the back of his neck was accidentally clipped once and now he point blank refuses. We've been preparing him all summer though and he has said he will give it a go if it means he could go longer between cuts.

DS doesn't really like having his haircut, no sensory issues, just likes an unruly mop! His school are quite strict so hair has to be off face and collar. So he just has a trim (usually every school holiday or as long as he can get away with it) with scissors, no clippers. Goes to hairdressers rather than barbers and he gets tea and cake which softens the blow!

A hairdresser may be less intimidating than a barbers, you could call first and explain re his sensory issues, and explain the school hair policy.

I’d show them the school guidance.

My son's school has a very similar policy and his haircut is the same as @AppleKatie second suggestion. He gets a number 3 back and sides with a scissor cut on top.

His hair grows very fast but he can usually manage about 8 weeks between each visit to the barbers.

Short back & sides, tidy on top

My son has ASD and we do not adhere to the hair policy. They're well aware he hates haircuts so his is long and scruffy. Don't force your child to cut his hair if it will cause him stress.

wooly i’m Delighted to hear that as it’s the one my son has and I never know if it’s ‘cool’ or not! Glad he’s not the only one in the world anyway 🤣

Just say ‘cut it all the same length and show them how long you want it).

Mine has his quite long and won't entertain the clippers, he just gets a tidy up with scissors from the barber. He will go months without a cut given his own way. Barbers are used to all sorts, they really don't care!

School will be more interested in policing the uber sharp cuts some boys have, I'd guess, as long as he isn't going in with hair to his shoulders I doubt they'll look twice at him.

DS(17) gets a scissors cut on top and #5 at the back and sides.

“Off the collar and tidy up”. Seems to work for us.

Does anyone have their own clippers? I was thinking of getting some as I have three boys. What no on top for short back and sides? Do you leave the front a bit longer?

I think if you are doing it yourself you are best off picking one number and sticking with it! The skill from the barber comes with blending in the different length on top so it doesn’t look ridiculous.

Or you could challenge the school on their ridiculous and sexist hair policy? What business is it of theirs how your child wears their hair, as long as it's clean and nit free and can be tied out of the way?