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

[ArabellaSaurus]

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.'

This is surely hypothetical. Ofc there would need to be a good state system first.

It raises serious questions if secular schools are so much worse than religious ones. Why do you think Catholic/C of E are better? Better at getting good staff etc? Would you like to maybe say what you think gives then the edge?

Tbf a lot of Muslim schools are not that new. The first were founded in the early 80s and by 2007 there were over 100.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2007/11924560572.html&ved=2ahUKEwiDtMfMh_uPAxVjd0EAHW7JOvUQFnoECBcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw33vxfkU3j6EkkOOvjymMZL

Agree both need focus.

Thats not the case in Jewish schools. In fact, they try to stop Jewish kids from attending if they don't see them as Jewish.

https://app.croneri.co.uk/law-and-guidance/case-reports/r-application-e-v-governing-body-jfs-and-admissions-appeal-panel-jfs?product=183

https://www.jta.org/2008/02/12/default/jewish-school-accused-on-admissions

They don’t want to wear an uncomfortably short skirt, they want to fit in. Can you really not tell the difference?

Usually, it is the strong ethos and clear focus on the faith that brings the community together. I've always enjoyed cathoic schools for this reason, and the rhythm of the year with its round of feast days and festivals is very enjoyable too. It all seeks to create a strong moral framework for life.

Secular schools attempt to do this too...but it tends to be far more 'preachy', ironically and pretentious and forced. I've been in whole school assemblies such as this - and I honestly prefer the clarity and simplicity of an overtly faith based one more.

Secularism also tries to instil its own versions of morality onto people - with strong ideas about what is right and wrong.

Any school uniform is a strict dress code, and the rules for adults sound like they're simply asking for modest clothing.
You'd be surprised how many people are against religion and think any mention of it is shoving it in their faces.

For parents and visitors??

Not sure who your post is addressed to. I posted for discussion. The National Secular society campaigns against all faith schools, and I've posted before about schools of other faiths that have secist practises.

*sexist, although that could almost be 'sectist'.

Yes and thats peer pressure. Not a school rule!

I’m an atheist. I am not intimidated by or scared of or (insert negative emotion of choice) by religion. I just don’t think tax money should go towards supporting religion. Everything tax funded should be entirely secular.

Its worth discussion! Trousers can be tricky; its hard to find comfortable trousers to suit different body shapes. And trousers can be too hot in summer.

Personally I hate uniform altogether, but schools have become heavily invested in controlling what children wear in recent years.

It's an orthodox jewish school. The parents will be orthodox themselves, I imagine.

It is obviously a school in an area with a large jewish population - hence the demand for such a school.

What about people like inspectors? They've already had to speak about au pairs because the community see the value in hiring non-Jewish "help". They dont seem to imagine OFSTED or the LEA might want to come and inspect or they're saying if they do, they will be inspecting the inspectors.

Personally, I like uniform in a school context. It equalises and unifies the children and helps to focus the mind on what they are there for. There is often a motto and a badge as well - which emphasise values and purpose.

I know, there are arguments like this. Im just not wholly convinced, though. The environmental load of all that polycotton also bothers me.

That is a very strong 'should'. Atheism is also very fixed and certain in its moral judgements and standards.

Thank you, very interesting. Curious- roughly how often do feast days and festivals happen in Catholic schools? (I was raised Anglican myself, so not familiar)

I can see what you mean about pretentious secular assemblies. I don't think it HAS to be that way though. My school was secular & we had interesting assemblies, not especially preachy (tho it was C of E founded & we sang hymns every morning, which most people loved, including those of other faiths)

Which is why I'd suggest a tolerant and pragmatic secular approach would be best. All religions and non religious given equal respect.

It is a problem when it is funded by the state.

It's not necessarily only an atheist view though. France doesn't fund religious schools, there's still plenty of Catholics and others there- their laicite principles don't equal state-imposed atheism.

There's a difference between school dress codes and the kind of rules Hasidic women and (rarer, but some, esp in YS) Christian women have to follow.

I know some people are like that. I don't think people on this thread are though. Seem like mainly reasonable points to me.

Thats interesting.

Exactly, it's weird for people to imply that people must be intimidated or offended by any religion at all when most are just raising valid questions about children brought up in very strict environments with mainly children who believe the same.

I didn't imply that I was referring to anyone in this chat. OP's post was what I replied to, not a general discussion about how some religions oppress women.

I used to teach in a catholic secondary school in Gloucester - one of my favourite schools. it had a chapel at the heart of the school campus and a big 'barn' which was used for festivities and Saints days - which seemed quite often to me ( I honestly cannot recall the names and precise numbers of all of them). The 'barn' occasions were really joyous and uplifting. The chapel was my favourite space to sit when I needed some time alone.

When you apply to teach in a catholic school you have to show you understand the ethos and are supportive of it. I tended to ve very good at that...because i do have a past, personal experience of Christian faith -even though i no longer identify myself in that way.

I went to a C of E girls school too......loved it. I didn't mind the hymn singing and the prayers at all. A Cof E school is not secular though. We also had a few Muslim and Jewish girls.