School heads get right to ban veils

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I agree that the school in the case above was incredibly heavy-handed in dealing with the student wearing Tigger socks.

However I totally support schools having the right to make restrictions on students' appearances and I don't think it prevents anyone thinking for themselves to conform to a dress code.

One of my Mum's (younger) friends was routinely escorted to the Head's office to have her beehive hairdo brushed out and her hair plaited into pigtails.

At my school there was occasional spot checks on make up (it was forbidden) and girls were sent to Matron's office where Matron stood over you with tissues and baby lotion until it was all removed.

We had regulation length skirts, and when I started school, girls used to fold them up at the waist to make them shorter - when I left the fashion was to let the hems out to make them longer.

We knew what the rules were and we knew we had to follow them. We bent them as much as possible, but when we were caught we accepted the measures taken to bring us back into line. The Debating Society had a motion every year re school uniform, and the Student Council often brought it up at staff meetings. We were encouraged to question the rules but follow them while they were still in place.

Students should be encouraged to use their minds to express themselves, rather than tying up their self esteem in what colour socks they are allowed to wear.

Anyway there are two different issues here. Religious dress is not being banned in UK schools. The headscarf (like beards and turbans for Sikhs) is included as a uniform option in the majority of schools. If a teacher claimed a girl wearing a headscarf was a barrier to teaching, then the problem would be with the teacher, not the clothing.

But a niqab is a barrier to communication. That's what this ruling is about. A Head who holds this view can refuse to allow it to be worn in class.

I would agree with you.