24 January 2017

Muslim pupil's headscarf ban at Catholic school challenged

A school has been accused of breaching anti-discrimination laws after claims a four-year-old Muslim pupil was told she could not wear a headscarf.

St Clare's Catholic Primary School in Birmingham has met with equality leaders at the city council to discuss a complaint from the pupil's family.

The council is supporting the school to ensure its policies are appropriate.

But Muslim Women's Network UK said the school was not at fault as young girls are not required to wear headscarves.

The Handsworth school states on its website that "hats or scarves are not allowed to be worn in school" alongside examples including a woman in a headscarf.

Labour councillor Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transparency, openness and equality, met the school's head teacher last week. [BBC] Read more