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Schools allowed to ban face veils Schools allowed to ban face veils
(about 1 hour later)
Schools will be able to ban pupils from wearing full-face veils on security, safety or learning grounds under new uniforms guidance set to be issued.Schools will be able to ban pupils from wearing full-face veils on security, safety or learning grounds under new uniforms guidance set to be issued.
In February, a 12-year-old girl failed in her High Court attempt to overturn her Buckinghamshire school's niqab ban.In February, a 12-year-old girl failed in her High Court attempt to overturn her Buckinghamshire school's niqab ban.
Ministers promised revised guidance for England taking that into consideration.Ministers promised revised guidance for England taking that into consideration.
It says efforts should be made to accommodate religious clothing but stresses the importance of teachers and pupils being able to make eye contact.It says efforts should be made to accommodate religious clothing but stresses the importance of teachers and pupils being able to make eye contact.
We feel very strongly that this was a matter of principle that there shouldn't be barriers between students and teachers Head teacherVeil court case school Why Muslims wear the veil It's not right that schools should have to be arguing this out case by case Head teacherVeil court case school Why Muslims wear the veil
The issue of religious dress has become an increasingly complicated one for schools in recent years, with a handful of high profile cases going to court.The issue of religious dress has become an increasingly complicated one for schools in recent years, with a handful of high profile cases going to court.
But it is the victory by the Buckinghamshire school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, that has prompted the updated guidance.But it is the victory by the Buckinghamshire school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, that has prompted the updated guidance.
The school argued the veil made communication between teachers and pupils difficult and thus hampered learning.The school argued the veil made communication between teachers and pupils difficult and thus hampered learning.
Teachers needed to be able to tell if a pupil was enthusiastic, paying attention or even distressed but full-face veils prevented this, it said.Teachers needed to be able to tell if a pupil was enthusiastic, paying attention or even distressed but full-face veils prevented this, it said.
This position was upheld by the High Court - which refused to grant a judicial review - and is expected to form a key part of the guidance.This position was upheld by the High Court - which refused to grant a judicial review - and is expected to form a key part of the guidance.
Guidance welcomedGuidance welcomed
Schools need to be able to identify individual pupils in order to maintain good order and to identify intruders, it is expected to say.Schools need to be able to identify individual pupils in order to maintain good order and to identify intruders, it is expected to say.
Find out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphicsFind out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphics
"If a pupil's face is obscured for any reason the teacher may not be able to judge their engagement with learning or secure their participation in discussions and practical activities," it adds."If a pupil's face is obscured for any reason the teacher may not be able to judge their engagement with learning or secure their participation in discussions and practical activities," it adds.
The head teacher of the Buckinghamshire school, who also cannot be named, said it would be very useful to have some clear guidance from the DfES. The head teacher of the Buckinghamshire school, who also cannot be named, said it would be very useful to have some clear guidance from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
"It's not right that schools should have to be arguing this out case by case," she told the BBC News website."It's not right that schools should have to be arguing this out case by case," she told the BBC News website.
"Obviously there's a trade-off between schools retaining autonomy over school uniform decisions, on the other hand we will have some very clear guidance from the DfES within which to work.""Obviously there's a trade-off between schools retaining autonomy over school uniform decisions, on the other hand we will have some very clear guidance from the DfES within which to work."
'Equality' 'Simply shocking'
She said she did not regret the school's decision to fight the case. The Muslim Council of Britain has not yet responded to the guidance, but in February it urged schools to take into account Muslim pupils' needs to dress modestly and avoid tight-fitting or transparent garments.
"We feel very strongly that this was a matter of principle, that there shouldn't be barriers between students and teachers. Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said the DfES guidance was "simply shocking".
"We also feel the young people in our school should be educated on an equal basis and be prepared for their role as adults in a modern society in which we expect there to be equality between men and women." And Ayshah Ishmail, a teacher at a Muslim girls' school in Preston who wears the niqab away from the classroom, told the BBC wearing the veil promoted equality.
The Muslim Council of Britain has not yet responded to the guidance, but in a 72-page document released in February the organisation stopped short of endorsing niqabs for girls.
It did, however, urge schools to take into account Muslim pupils' needs to dress modestly and avoid tight-fitting or transparent garments.
Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said successive ministers had failed to give proper guidance about schools' obligations regarding religious dress.
"To now proceed to issue guidance against Muslim communities is simply shocking," he said.
Financial hardship
Ayshah Ishmail, a teacher at a Muslim girls' school in Preston who wears the niqab away from the classroom, told the BBC that wearing the veil promotes equality.
She said: "You're judged for who you are and not what you are, so I think there are two arguments to the whole equality issue."She said: "You're judged for who you are and not what you are, so I think there are two arguments to the whole equality issue."
There were misconceptions that women who wore the veil were being oppressed, she added.
The DfES guidance also instructs schools to be sensitive to the cost implications of their choice of uniform which should be available at high street shops.The DfES guidance also instructs schools to be sensitive to the cost implications of their choice of uniform which should be available at high street shops.
A recent letter to all schools from the Office of Fair Trading says they can be prosecuted for engaging in exclusive agreements with specific retailers. The guidelines reiterate the right of schools to discipline pupils for not wearing the proper uniform.
The guidance also reiterates schools' right to discipline pupils for not wearing the proper uniform.
But they should carefully investigate the reasons behind this and be sensitive in cases of financial hardship.