Uniforms and Religious Dress

Description

Burleigh Community College in Loughborough is reintroducing school uniforms, but the prospect is making headteacher John Smith apprehensive. Find out more in this whole-school video for primary and secondary staff.

The motive for reintroducing uniforms is safety; the school's staff want to be able to identify who should be on site. Following the controversy over the ban on religious dress in French schools, and a UK High Court battle, Burleigh allowed headscarves and robes, but confusion persists over the status of mosque caps.

The reaction of some Muslim pupils highlights the complexities involved. The Muslim Association emphasises the religious importance of the jilbab, but two weeks into term 40 pupils still aren't complying with the new rules, including two Muslim girls. The stage is set for the debate.

The key points of this video are that: a school uniform policy can successfully introduce pupils to the concept of dressing smartly for work; and a uniform policy should be defined in positive terms, by what is acceptable rather than what is not.

Part of the series: School Matters