Schools usually take a firm line on ‘extreme’ haircuts, but when pupils asked to shave their heads for charity as a show of support for a friend, instead their teacher joined them.

The three Oakwood Park Grammar School pupils and PE teacher Robert Devonald took the plunge in front of an audience at the school in Maidstone.

It follows the diagnosis of fellow Year 12 student James Morrison with cancer of the spine during their AS-level exams.

He is being treated at King’s College Hospital in London and has lost his hair due to treatment.

Seventeen-year-olds George Majin, Ben Hughes and Ben Donnelly decided to join him with shaved heads in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust after his sudden diagnosis.

George, from Chart Sutton, said: "It was a massive shock to everybody to hear that James had been so severely affected by cancer. We want to do everything we can to support him through this difficult time and feel that raising money for the Teenager Cancer Trust will do just that.

"As a side-effect of his chemotherapy, James’s hair has fallen out and therefore, to show our love and support for him, we decided to shave our heads."

Mr Devonald opted to join them as he had gone on a school trip with James and other students last year to Ghana, where they helped build a playground for local children.

"James is someone who is always willing to help others," said Ben Donnelly, from Headcorn.

Ben Hughes, who lives in Cranbrook, added: "James is an amazing guy. He is just the nicest person you could possibly know."

With no set target, they collected more than £327 during the 40-minute head-shave and have raised more than £2,000 online. They have also done a video of the day.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/ShaveForJames.