MPs are to quiz Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of schools in England, about her controversial backing for a ban on girls wearing the hijab, following complaints from Muslim community leaders.
Parliament’s education select committee will question Spielman, the head of Ofsted, next month over her vocal support for a primary school in east London that barred girls under eight from wearing the headscarf – a move the school’s headteacher swiftly reversed after complaints from parents.
It has emerged that the head who introduced the ban, Neena Lall, of St Stephen’s primary school in Newham, has publicly apologised to parents at the school, calling the decision a “huge error in judgment”.
Lall blamed the media for inflammatory reporting of the hijab ban last month, which staff members said was to help the youngest girls move freely in PE lessons and outdoor learning.
.... “I want to put on the record my full support for Neena Lall, the headteacher of St Stephen’s school in Newham, and her leadership team,” Spielman told a conference of Church of England school leaders.
“Schools must have the right to set school uniform policies as they see fit in order to promote cohesion. It is a matter of deep regret that this outstanding school has been subject to a campaign of abuse by those who want to undermine the school’s position.”
[The Guardian] Read more
