Girls been forced to sit at the back of the class

[Wannabestepfordwife]

Apologies that I can't link but has anyone else seen recent stories on the Al-Madinah school in derby.

Not only are female staff required to wear a headscarf regardless of religion and having their contracts changed to reflect this.

But female students are being forced to sit at the back of the class and have to give up their place in the dinner queue for male pupils.

Now I'm not what you would call an active feminist but I'm absolutely disgusted by this. A free and equal education for everyone regardless of sex, creed, race is one of the best things about this country IMO.

Does anyone know what powers the government have over free schools or can they basically do what they want?

I just wish that there were NO religious schools whatsoever. I just don't get why governments support them. Free schools are also a load of bollocks.

Totally agree with weirdthing, education should be secular.

Religious schools thrived under new labour and now this government, yet they can be harmful and misogynistic.

Free schools are subject to The Equality Act, just as maintained schools and academies are.

Guidance here.

Glad to hear it, tethers, now let's hope someone points this out to the school concerned... preferably with a solicitor's letter.

Problem is if none of the parents complain then I doubt anyone will do anything about it. If all the parents are happy with the girls sitting at the back they're not going to say anything. Teachers aren't going to kick up a fuss as they'll want to keep their jobs.

I don't approve of this but I don't approve of any religion being observed in any school except to teach kids about different cultures etc.

eg I don't mind doing activities related to christmas and diwali and eid.

Has the school given any statement on their rationale behind these? I guess teachers in catholic schools for instance have to observe certain different rules?

I've had the women at the back of the mosque put me as being because the women would not want to be in front of all the poor lustful men, arses in the air rather than because they are somehow lesser than men.

I'd be more worried about this to be honest,

"The school also reportedly devotes several hours to prayers, with one staff member anonymously saying that ‘They have three prayers every day, an hour of Koranic studies and an hour of Islamic studies as well as Arabic. They are not following the national curriculum, there isn’t enough time.’
"

I think any parent who sends their kid to a school like this maybe is quite OK with girls sitting at the back.

I've had the women at the back of the mosque put me as being because the women would not want to be in front of all the poor lustful men, arses in the air rather than because they are somehow lesser than men.

If that was the reason, they could split the mosque left/right. Or, novel concept, the males could concentrate on prayer/schoolwork instead of lusting.

I'm not saying it was an honest explanation.... I can't pretend to know the rationale of any religion.

No, me neither! ... and I don't doubt the explanation was honestly given. Just that it doesn't bear much scrutiny!

CAN THIS BE TRUE?

REALLY REALLY ACTUALLY TRUE?

Can't we have a campaign?

Put it on twitter?

etc

hullygully that's part of the reason I posted I'd love to do a campaign but don't know the first thing about doing 1

It's supposed to be a multi-faith school but clearly isn't.
^Now it is expected that officials from the Office for Standards in Education will inspect the school within days following the furore over the dress code claims and concerns by unions over the standards of education at the school.

A Department for Education spokesman said: "'These allegations are very worrying.

"We have already been investigating this school for other reasons.

"Ofsted was due to inspect it this term and after discussions will bring forward its inspection.

"The DfE will not hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to prevent religious intolerance or any breaking of the rules for free schools."^

[[http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Teacher-quit-Derby-school-Muslim-dress-code/story-19836788-detail/story.html#ixzz2fnOWFaSx
This article has extracts from the staff handbook]]

Someone must.

Come on, step forwards.

The code of dress for teachers has been adopted by the school and all teachers must adhere to it. By signing the contract of employment with Al-Madinah school all employees agree to adhere to this policy.

1. Clothing must cover the entire body, only the hands, face and feet may remain visible

'all teachers' ... but sounds like only the female teachers have been forced to fully adopt this code (which in full is worse than just wearing a headscarf). Clearly discriminatory.

Hully - the local press is active, it's being discussed in the national press and the DofE is now investigating. I'm not sure that a twitter storm - based on information which may or may not be 100% accurate - will necessarily be the most helpful thing... the EDL and their ilk would probably like it.

The things that have been reported need challenging seriously and soberly.

This is appalling.

I know whereof you speak Errol, but no one will give a shit unless forced to by a media shitstorm with all the attendant madness...

Unless the shitstorm is supported by Muslims within Britain, it will be twisted by supporters of this and other schools like it into a racist and divisive squabble, where ignorant Westerners are blundering around in an Imperial manner.
I do think that it should be challenged, along with the wearing of the niqab, but it is going to get very very messy and involve HR claims and the right to religious freedom.

Fuck all that, I'm sick of it.

It's like dear Gloria Steinem said 400 years ago, why is it politics when it comes to men and cultural when it's women?

I don't care about religious nonsense. I care about the oppression of women. Take the religious dressings away and it's the same old shite.

It's very simple. Gender discrimination is illegal here.

All the rest is flim flam nonsense.

According to the local news last night, the Department of Education are looking into the school.

However the focus of the attention seems to be the bias of Islamic Studies within the school, rather than female oppression :(

Dear Parents
It has come to our attention that there are a number of rumours circulating about the school that are worrying some parents. The situation is not helped by the local television news and local newspapers running stories that are at best premature, or in some cases, simply fly in the face of the established facts.
The school is not going to shut down and close and it is not going to start charging parents to send their children here. Aside from possible temporary closures for severe snow or other Health and Safety reasons, it would take seven years to shut the school. Similarly, it is against the law for state funded schools like Al-Madinah to charge parents for education.
Some parents have found difficulties with certain items of uniform, especially stretching sweatshirts. We have already switched suppliers (and in the future we will give parents a choice of suppliers) but please do let us know if there is still a problem. Last year the school made a small loss on uniform. We hope to avoid that this year but it is our intention never to make money on school uniform.
We do have fully qualified teachers in our Primary School, despite what has been suggested, but in addition we also have Higher Level Support Assistants in every year group, many with their own nationally recognised qualification as well. Some staff have moved on, as they would do in any school, for a variety of reasons, and any administrative or contractual issues will be worked through. Al-Madinah has prioritised learning and teaching, that is the education of your child, in a safe and encouraging environment, as it settles into its new buildings and introduces new systems to reflect its planned growth in numbers. Your children come first, and as for the teething pains of our growth spurt, please give it time.
As a parent, if you do have any concerns please contact us directly and ask about whatever it is that is worrying you. I am pleased to say that we met with a group of parents last week and they helped us understand a little more about what we need to communicate to you. We are in the process of making our website more parent friendly, but in the meantime, we will still be posting information on the website. If it is easier for you to contact Mrs Higgins at the Primary School, or Mr Hussain at the Secondary School, please do so. Just let us know the name of your child (or children) when you ring, and what year group or groups they are in, and we will be able to tell you what you want to know. We are here for you.
Al-Madinah is a pioneering school, the first of its type in the whole country, and not everyone wants it to succeed. Unfortunately politics have been allowed to interfere with education. Our only concern in the success of your children. Like all pioneers, we are on a journey, and as a new school open for just one year (and only a few days in our new, wonderful, secondary building) we simply ask for time to get going and grow into an excellent school.
Assuring you that we have the best interests of your child at heart.
Yours faithfully
G S Wilson
Interim Principal

Statement from the school about the 'issues'.

"stretching sweatshirts"

So much more important than making girls second class citizens