A STUDENT has been sent home from school for wearing a neck-to-toe Muslim dress.

The traditional jilbaab does not meet regulations at Whalley Range High School for Girls, where about 200 other Muslim sixth formers wear business-style suits.

But 16-year-old Sobia, who does not wish her surname to be revealed, refuses to don the two-piece uniform.

She believes it reveals too much of the female shape which should be covered by a one-piece garment.

Sobia is a sixth former at the hugely popular school, where the headteacher Dame Jean Else introduced the loose-fitting uniform for sixth formers in September in an effort to improve standards.

Choice

Dame Jean has told Sobia she must choose between the traditional jilbaab and her place at the over-subscribed school, where 92 per cent of sixth-formers are Muslim.

The head said the school has consulted the Commission for Racial Equality, who have confirmed that the two piece uniform is flexible enough for pupils, regardless of their religion or culture.

The school says the sixth form uniform - defined as a smart two-piece business-style suit - is acceptable to other Muslim pupils.

But Sobia, who was excluded from the school on Monday, insists she cannot give in. She said: ''The school accepts scarfs, so I also thought they would accept that this is part of my religion.

''For the past month they have kept telling me to come in in 'business dress', but that is in two parts.

''Only one piece of cloth will cover the shape of the body. I didn't think they would make a big deal out of my beliefs. I was shocked.

''I can't compromise my beliefs. There are quite a few girls who would normally wear this, but can't at school.''

Sobia hopes that her study of A-levels in biology, chemistry, psychology and sociology will lead her to a career in medicine. Her parents fear that her absence from the school will harm her education.

Now Sobia intends to raise her plight with the board of governors.

Business suits

In recent weeks, the school has sent home a number of girls - not all Muslims - whose dress has been unacceptable.

The headteacher explained she has tried to work with Sobia to design a loose suit - with loose jacket, long loose skirt and headdress - that would be acceptable.

Dame Jean said the problem started when Sobia started wearing a light brown tunic and skirt which did not conform to the school rules. She said Sobia had not worn a one-piece black garment.

She said: ''We sat down and drew up a compromise design involving a loose, calf-length tunic and a floor-length skirt.''

Dame Jean says the idea of bringing in the uniform is to create equality and an identity for the school community.

She added: ''Everybody who was interviewed for a place in the sixth form was fully briefed on what the new uniform would be. This student has made the decision to come to a school where there is a dress code.

''We are looking for full equality rather than difference. That's why we believe in the importance of uniform.''

Tweet