Exclusive:Sheffield school defends uniform policy after Muslim girls sent to isolation for wearing modesty robes
“Our children should be able to walk through the school gates feeling that they belong”
A councillor claims Muslim children are being ”made to choose between education and faith” after girls were banned from wearing modesty robes at a Sheffield school.
Girls arriving at Fir Vale Academy in the robes, known as abayas, since the start of the new school year have been hit with an internal exclusion - where they are removed from class and do their work in a supervised space - if they wear the Islamic dress, it is claimed.
While the school’s uniform policy allows black hijabs, a headscarf worn by many Muslim women that covers the hair and neck while leaving the face clear, it does not mention abayas.
But since the school re-opened on September 7 after the summer holidays, pupils are being kept from class for wearing them, it is claimed.
Ward councillor for Burngreave Mustafa Ahmed [Green Party] criticised the policy for making children “feel that practicing their faith is something they should be ashamed of,” and is calling for a public meeting.
Meanwhile, Fir Vale Academy’s operator, United Learning academic trust, defended the policy, saying the changes were communicated over the holidays without complaint and its policy is “in line with other schools locally”.
‘Respect, dialogue, fairness, not confrontation’
In a lengthy open letter posted on his Facebook page, Councillor Ahmed wrote: “No child should spend an entire school day isolated from their classmates simply because of what they are wearing for religious reasons.
“Parents have told me that some Muslim girls wearing abayas have been refused normal access to lessons and, in some cases, placed in internal exclusion for the school day with further detentions afterwards.
“I fully support the right of Muslim pupils to wear modest Islamic clothing in accordance with their religious beliefs, while also recognising that schools have uniform rules and responsibilities.
“The question is whether those rules are being applied fairly.”
The councillor stressed his desire for “respect, dialogue and fairness, not confrontation” in addressing the issue, writing: “I also want to make one thing very clear: this is not about creating division between communities.
“Fir Vale serves a diverse area of Sheffield. Muslim families are an important part of our community, just as every other family is.
“Our children should be able to walk through the school gates feeling that they belong.”
While figures are not readily available for the school, the latest census data recorded more than 50 per cent of Fir Vale’s population as Muslim.
The Star asked Councillor Ahmed why the choice of religious wear is important, and why the school’s allowance for hijabs alone is insufficient in his opinion.
He said: “It’s very important for Muslim girls, and all girls, because it’s their choice what they wear that let’s them feel safe and comfortable.
“The long abaya that covers the hair, head and body is what some people want to wear to feel safe -it’s how they were raised and it’s what they like.
“No one is saying ‘do this or we will take our kids out the school’ - we will have a conversation and work through this as a community.”
‘Sensitive to the needs of all students of all backgrounds’
The Star contacted Fir Vale Academy over how the change to uniform policy was consulted and communicated.
A spokesperson for United Learning said the issue was being “magnified unnecessarily by people with no ties to the school”.
A statement reads: “Our uniform policy fully accords with DfE guidance and indeed the overwhelming majority of schools across Sheffield.
“The changes made to the uniform policy were drawn up with the input of key stakeholders across the school community and parents and students were widely communicated with during the summer term.
“At that time, we received no complaints nor objections to the changes we announced.
“To be clear, our policy allows for the wearing of the hijab but not the abaya and this puts us in line with other schools locally.
“The changes to the uniform policy have been welcomed and accepted by all bar a few of our students and parents. We continue to work closely with them so that their actions do not impede their children’s education.
“We have had a very positive start to the academic year and look forward to this continuing with improvements across the board. It is disappointing if this issue is being magnified unnecessarily by people with no ties to the school.
“Our uniform policy promotes the wearing of sensible, modest clothing that is appropriate for the school environment and for all students. Our policy is sensitive to the needs of all students of all backgrounds.
“This morning (Thursday, September 17), we received a request from Cllr Ahmed to meet and we look forward to doing so. We have, however, already had helpful discussions with local community members and the local authority.”