Independent school uniform policy - religion

[SAH86]

Hi there , I was just after some advice from anyone who has experience of independent schools please. We’ve seen a number of them in and around our area in Buckinghamshire and all except one had a very accommodating approach towards religious head coverings when it comes to their uniform- one school that we really liked said they wouldn’t permit this (although they allow hats that are specified in their uniform policy). I’m meeting with the trustees to understand why they don’t allow this as they haven’t explained this so far. But I just wanted to understand what their rationale could be before I meet them if anyone has any ideas? They happen to be a faith school and on our very first tour said they are welcoming of people of all faiths and none ..so this surprised us.

This is an old thread that someone decided to randomly comment on but it's interesting that all the replies seemed to assume the OP was referring to a female child wearing an hijab.
The OP never ONCE said if her child is male or female or what faith they are.
Interesting 🤔

@Needmorelego Indeed it is old but the op never came back to clarify and “head coverings” usually refers to girls. As it’s a through school in Bucks - the possibilities are tiny. Almost certainly girls!

I have seen schools agree to a sports head covering and trousers,but no long skirts, chador or hijab because they felt that the stricter parents who insisted on these put pressure on the more liberal girls and parents to alter their dress, and the school took the pressure off by refusing to allow these

As long as the head covering is in the school colours, is appropriate to that religion, is not dangling on the floor or catching on anything it should not be an issue.

Our faith school have different faiths, and some wear a covering or want their legs and arms covered. They just need to wear school colours same as anyone else.

Same as children with medical needs. If they need other clothing they still adhere to the correct colour.

Had issues with children wearing flowery leggings under skirts or shorts and they were reminded to adhere to the school colours. Swimming wear is the same. If you wish to cover up just wear the school colours

It’s like anything though isn’t it. As parents we do what we think is best for our children. We chose their school, activities they take part in, sports and so on. I never understand why religion isn’t the same.

It’s as much misogyny to cover the hair as it is to not. Parents are free to chose the clothes their children wear. Be that skirts, crop tops, bikinis or hijabs. Why is it only misogyny when someone wants to cover more?

Why does overt religion have to be expressed in school? It’s a personal thing. I’m with the French on this.

Just looked at the independent girls’ through school in Bucks that’s near me: no head covering in the uniform list at any age. No picture of dc wearing one either.

I’m amazed that a school would say this. I’m not sure it’s the school for your DD. Our school has a prayer room, alternative options on day of Xmas carol services etc, and allows head scarf, or a cross on a chain or earrings for the Hindu girls.

When I was at boarding school in the 80s, with lots of international girls, the school did not allow headscarves to be worn. But it’s amazing to me that it would still be a thing.

If it’s a CofE school they might prefer to stick to this religion. Religion can be practices at home.

@TizerorFizz some Christians wear hair coverings.
There were several Brethren girls at my secondary school who did.
Obviously not CofE but it's the same religion.

@Needmorelego They can go to Quaker schools I assume. I’m firmly in the camp of no religious affiliations at school at all that require an alternative head covering. Schools say who they are and whether they are affiliated to a religion or not. Not all private schools suit everyone. Private schools definitely see uniform and religious affiliation as important to them, but on their terms, and don’t like pupils to have divisions. Parents have choices. The state is another matter and we are more generous than France.

@TizerorFizz to be honest private schools can do what they want and as parents are paying can decide what aspects of that school (ie uniform) is important to them.
My original comment on this thread was about the clearly obvious assumptions people made about what faith the OP was referring too because quite frankly some of the comments were borderline Daily Mail opinions and that shocked me for Mumsnet.
It's an old thread anyway so I assume the OP's child has their school sorted by now.

@Needmorelego Agreed. This subject won’t go away though!

Children should not be allowed to wear any religious headwear in schools (and outside of schools in my opinion).

Why?

@Needmorelego I would like schools to be non religious. The French have managed it. It leads to division. I want that cross. I want that headscarf. Etc etc. These are children and they go to school to be educated. They can follow what religion their parents follow but I would avoid conflict in schools. Religion is better as a private matter and is nothing to do with the state - or should not be. I’d greatly prefer religion to be outside school walls. Look at the problems that are created when schools actually try and be the same to everyone, as highlighted in this thread. We always have some religion pontificating about what they want! What I want is a school uniform with no nod to any religion.

@TizerorFizz personally I'd prefer no uniform and with that I don't have any problem if a child chooses to wear something that could be classed as "religious" as long as it is safe for a school environment.

Look up Guardsman Lall, Trooping the Colour, 2018...

My local public high school in the US has a no uniform policy and thanks to separation of church and state no religion is taught and there are no religious motifs displayed in the building.

There is a dress code - no political/ sexist/ ageist/ disablist/ homophobic, etc slogans on clothing, close toed footwear for automotive shop, cooking, driver's ed, and chemistry classes, no underwear worn as clothing, no tube tops or bare midriff, no shirtlessness, no clothing with massive cut outs. Everyone has to wear PE clothing for PE, and swimsuits for swimming.

Teachers tend to err on the side of 'let it be' when it comes to enforcement. A light hand generally reduces tension and decreases the attractiveness of provocative gestures involving clothing.

Religious headgear is permitted for male and female students alike. Secular headwear is not allowed inside the building but out of the building they can wear whatever they want. Students may wear crosses as jewellery.

OP, why are you meeting with the trustees of a school where their policies obviously don’t suit you? Surely you should just choose an alternative school that fits your requirements. Even if, at your insistence, they changed their policies I doubt whether the school would be a good fit. There would likely be other disagreements further down the line which may impact your DD negatively.

@mathanxiety Private schools here rarely go no uniform. The school being questioned here was a private school. I know USA state schools are often no uniform but are private ones too? What do they do about religion and uniform? I don’t see much difference between a dc wearing something with a religious slogan and a hijab. Both make a statement in my view.

Because in almost all situations, head coverings are primarily imposed on girls, not boys.

Why should a girl have to be limited in sports, in play and in temperature, when their male counterparts do not have to be.

If I had my way, I would ban all head coverings in the UK.

@SdpbodyIm with you on that. It’s not really about religion at a young age either. More about control of girls.

@Sdpbody
Jewish Skull caps = boys
Turbans = boys
Hijabs = girls
Conservative Christian head coverings = girls.
That 2 types for male, 2 for female.
🤔
I've also never known a girl not be able to play sport because she has some material on her head.