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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a school can't legally suddenly ban the headscarf for muslin girls!

678 replies

Headscarfs123 · 13/09/2011 00:15

So our local catholic school has banned the headscarf this week...disastrous for some of the girls but also against church advice that headscarfs are fine, against DFES advice about consultation and sensitivity to religious groups, against best practice as this type of change should involve the governing body? discriminatory on religious and sexist grounds...Sikh boys can keep their turbans.

Aibu to think that the school is legally in the wrong?

OP posts:
HerdOfTinyElephants · 13/09/2011 00:42

Is it a primary or secondary school? I imagine that a primary school might get away with it because there's no religious reason for headscarf in prepubescent girls so it's not a freedom of religion issue IYSWIM (but then it's also legally more difficult for primary schools to enforce uniforms at all, so may be swings and roundabouts).

Original poster
Headscarfs123 · 13/09/2011 00:43

Secondary not primary.

OP posts:
reelingintheyears · 13/09/2011 00:44

It just seems to me that if you have a faith you would want your child to go to a school of that faith.

If you have a choice.

HerdOfTinyElephants · 13/09/2011 00:45

reeling, my mother taught in a Catholic school for many years and they had plenty of Muslim girls attending; it wasn't oversubscribed with practising Catholics and in the absence of an Islamic school locally many Muslim parents seemed to feel that a Catholic school would have the right kind of moral vibe to it.

madhattershouse · 13/09/2011 00:45

I don't want to be involved in a contraversial arguement but captain where I am only catholics stand an earthly of getting into a catholic school. They are over-subscribed and people like me, not a catholic, who used to be able to get in can no longer. If you go to a faith school, be prepared to follow faith rule IMO. I was called a heathen for not taking the eucharist at mine, by a teacher (I think he was joking) !!

mumblejumble · 13/09/2011 00:46

Are they trying to force the muslim girls out. Are there not nuns there that wear a habit, and headcovering?
A very ill-thought out uniform change.

Original poster
Headscarfs123 · 13/09/2011 00:46

Exactly, the school is popular for its values.

OP posts:
Original poster
Headscarfs123 · 13/09/2011 00:48

It isn't oversubscribed or in danger of being so. Regardless of whether some think only a singl faith should attend a faith school this isn't what happens here and discriminatory changes can't be right

OP posts:
mumblejumble · 13/09/2011 00:48

If I was a muslim girl at that school, I would be cheeky and wear a turban Grin

madhattershouse · 13/09/2011 00:49

Catholic schools have a great reputation for behaviour and results. They do this by strict enforcement of the rules. The rules are, however, subject to change (especially if they are oversubscribed!)

reelingintheyears · 13/09/2011 00:50

madhattershouse

That was my reaction.

The church schools here want you to be regular church goers.

Otherwise hard lines.

CaptainNancy · 13/09/2011 00:51

sorry madhatter- in our authority many many non-catholics attend catholic schools- all schools are over-subscribed, and as someone alluded to upthread people of faith (any faith) prefer to send their children to faith schools.

Original poster
Headscarfs123 · 13/09/2011 00:51

I like your style mumble chum.

This school doesn't have 'great' results. Even if it did it still has to make changes legal.

OP posts:
CaptainNancy · 13/09/2011 00:52

I know faith schools (christian) that have 100% pupils that are muslim btw!

worraliberty · 13/09/2011 00:54

What did the Head Teacher say when you asked them about this?

HerdOfTinyElephants · 13/09/2011 00:55

They may want you to be regular churchgoers but legally if they aren't oversubscribed (which is almost unheard of in London, but less so outside) then they have to take anyone who applies, of any faith, and abide by the standard laws on discrimination.

madhattershouse · 13/09/2011 00:56

captain that is IME unusual. Catholic schools take children that are catholic BEFORE opening the doors to others. Where I live that means that unless you are catholic you can't get in! They don't say they won't take other faiths in but catholics get in first and where I am that means there is no chance for any others to get a place.

Original poster
Headscarfs123 · 13/09/2011 00:56

Ok so if we accept I am telling the truth and there are Muslim girls attending a catholic school and their right to wear headscarfs as part of the uniform has ben removed how is it best challenged! Equality or discrimination legislation?

OP posts:
reelingintheyears · 13/09/2011 00:57

CaptainNancy...really?

100%?

So how is it a Catholic school then.?

Original poster
Headscarfs123 · 13/09/2011 00:57

I haven't approached the school yet...wanted an idea of how to best challenge it first.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 13/09/2011 00:58

Ok so if we accept I am telling the truth and there are Muslim girls attending a catholic school and their right to wear headscarfs as part of the uniform has ben removed how is it best challenged! Equality or discrimination legislation?

That all depends on what the Head Teacher said when you asked them about this?

What explanation were you given?

cantspel · 13/09/2011 00:58

have you had a lteer home from the school or spoken to the headmaster yet?
Or is this all secondhand info from pupils?

Original poster
Headscarfs123 · 13/09/2011 00:58

Oh and no nuns well at least don't think there are any.

OP posts:
cantspel · 13/09/2011 00:58

letter

madhattershouse · 13/09/2011 00:58

Where do you live captain..catholic schools are at a premium here, you really can't get in if you're not catholic. I'm guessing you live in a city. Out in the "sticks" you stand no chance if you are not catholic.

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