Primary school forcing pupils to wear hijabs accused of 'breaking the law' as policy 'violates human rights'

Thank you for subscribing!

Barnet Hill Academy, which caters for children aged three to 11, lists a white hijab among the uniform requirements for pupils from Year 3

A state-funded primary school in north London has been referred to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over a policy requiring students to wear the hijab from the age of seven.

The policy has prompted accusations that the school is "breaking the law" by discriminating against pupils on religious and gender grounds, with accusations the policy "violates human rights".

Laura Trott, the Shadow Education Secretary, has called for an urgent investigation into both the school and Barnet Council, which approved its move into the state-funded sector.

“It is outrageous that a state-funded school is forcing girls, some as young as seven years old, to wear hijabs,” Ms Trott said.

She has also questioned whether pupils and their families are being given a genuine choice over religious dress.

The controversy intensified after the school amended its published uniform guidance to state that the hijab was not required for non-Muslim pupils.

However, Ms Trott and Joy Morrissey, the Shadow Equalities Minister, argue that this does not resolve the underlying issue, as the requirement could still apply to girls whom the school considers to be Muslim.

In a letter to the EHRC, the MPs said the policy meant a girl’s uniform requirements could depend on how the school classified her religion, and noted how there was no equivalent religious clothing requirement for boys.

They raised concerns about the rights of Muslim girls who might not wish to wear the headscarf, as well as the ability of secular parents to raise their children without religious observance.

The National Secular Society has separately raised concerns with ministers. Megan Manson, its head of campaigns, said children should not have religious clothing imposed upon them.

The organisation has argued that requiring girls to wear the hijab against their wishes could engage their rights to freedom of religion or belief.

Lucy Powell, the Education Secretary, previously said she had been in close contact with the school, and indicated that the academy had clarified that wearing the hijab was not compulsory.

The EHRC has been asked to examine whether the policy complies with equality and human-rights obligations. Any investigation would need to establish the precise circumstances in which the school expects Muslim pupils to wear the hijab and whether those requirements are lawful.

Barnet Hill Academy became a voluntary-aided school at the beginning of September. Under this arrangement, it receives state funding through the local authority while its governing body retains significant responsibility for the school's operation.

The school and Barnet Council have maintained that the uniform policy is compatible with the school's status as a faith institution and its legal obligations.

A Barnet Council spokesman said: “As part of the due diligence process, Barnet Council discussed the uniform requirements with the school. Barnet Hill Academy was clear that this does not apply to non-Muslim pupils, and this has been made clear in its online uniform policy.

“The uniform policy is in line with other faith schools in Barnet that set uniform requirements informed by religious practice. The school is also clear that it does not insist Muslim girls wear the hijab apart from during acts of worship.”

a Barnet Council spokesman earlier told GB News that the Islamic dress code are "closely aligned with our school ethos, which aims at directing our children towards Islamic values and norms".

Seemingly contrary to non-enforcement, the school website also says: "All students are expected to wear the uniform and dress in accordance with the expectations set out above."

Price & Buckland provide the school uniform service and have done so since 1959.

Barnet Hill Academy, which caters for children aged three to 11, has operated since 2006.

Department for Education figures show it has 158 pupils, despite having capacity for 400.

Before applying for VA status, the school charged annual fees of more than £6,500 and submitted its proposal to Barnet Council in May.