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Original poster

Faith school where women are banned from wearing trousers becomes state funded

430 replies

ArabellaSaurus · 27/09/2025 22:37

https://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2025/09/faith-school-which-bans-women-wearing-trousers-becomes-state-funded

'The National Secular Society has expressed alarm that a London faith school which bans women from wearing trousers and penalises families who attend non-kosher restaurants will now be funded by the state.
Nancy Reuben Primary School re-opened as a voluntary aided (VA) state school this month, after operating as an independent school for 26 years. Its decision to join the state sector follows the Government's move to charge VAT on independent school fees.'

'Women may not wear trousers, mini skirts, shorts, low necklines or sleeveless tops
The school's dress code for parents and visitors says men "must have their head covered at all times" and women "must wear skirts of knee length (a maximum of 2" above is acceptable)". It says trousers "may not be worn" by women.
Additionally, women must cover their underarms and may not wear cap sleeves. Women may not wear clothes with necklines lower than "4 fingers from the collar bone" either "in front or back of the garment".
Trousers are permitted for aupairs and nannies but they may not wear mini skirts, shorts, plunging necklines or sleeveless tops.'

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Stichintime · 27/09/2025 23:50

I dont really understand your point Dragon. The last bit seems a bit jumbled. How are children discriminated because of their parents 'pretend' beliefs?

GoldenGate · 27/09/2025 23:48

If its genuinely requirements of the religion of the school I don't see any complaint about it. Like anyone visiting a Gurdwara must cover their head, no argument. Is the law really different for enforcing on pupils and adults eg. mandatory skirts, modest tops?

ErrolTheDragon · 27/09/2025 23:42

Stichintime · 27/09/2025 23:35

I really don't see the problem. If you work or visit a religious school, you expect to follow the rules and customs. Secular society shouldn't expect to enter and not do whats required. Some Church and Islamic schools are also L.A schools, and I don't think it causes major problems!

That’s a matter of opinion. It can be a significant problem if your local state schools are a ‘faith’ ones with entry criteria which discriminate against kids because of what their parents believe (or pretend to).Hmm

Stichintime · 27/09/2025 23:35

I really don't see the problem. If you work or visit a religious school, you expect to follow the rules and customs. Secular society shouldn't expect to enter and not do whats required. Some Church and Islamic schools are also L.A schools, and I don't think it causes major problems!

RawBloomers · 27/09/2025 23:28

I don't think the school can legally enforce those rules for staff (or parents). It is worrying that they were allowed to become a state school without that being addressed.

I would have thought it unlawful for the girls too, but quite a lot of Catholic schools used to insist on skirts for girls, even just a few years ago. Has that changed too? I don't think I've seen any court cases about this even though I think it should have been unlawful since 1975.