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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> England and Wales High Court (Administrative Court) Decisions >> Begum, R (on the application of) v Denbigh High School [2004] EWHC 1389 (Admin) (15 June 2004) URL: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2004/1389.html Cite as: [2004] EWHC 1389 (Admin) |
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ADMINISTRATIVE COURT
Strand, London, WC2A 2LL |
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B e f o r e :
____________________
| THE QUEEN on the application of SHABINA BEGUM (through her litigation friend Mr Sherwas Rahman) |
Claimant |
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| - and - |
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| THE HEADTEACHER and GOVERNORS of DENBIGH HIGH SCHOOL |
Defendant |
____________________
Simon Birks (instructed by R.J. Stevens, Head of Legal Services, Luton Borough Council) for the Defendant
Hearing dates: 27 May 2004
____________________
Crown Copyright ©
Mr Justice Bennett :
"Mr Moore informed us that Shabina could not enter the school unless she wore the standard school uniform. Shabina could not agree to this as it contradicted her religious beliefs."
The Claimant described it (and the subsequent history) in her statement of the same date in this way:-
"Since yearly (sic) September 2002 Mr Moore expelled me from coming into the school premises without the school uniform."
"4. In the morning of 3 September 2002 I had referred to me, in place of the Headteacher, a matter relating to a pupil wanting to attend school wearing a long skirt. I have since been told that the pupil wanted to wear a jilbab. At the time I believed that she wanted to wear a long skirt.
5. I met the pupil, and the two young men who accompanied her. The men claimed to be her brother and a friend. They were very forceful in their approach to me, and talked of human rights and legal proceedings. I am a teacher and do not pretend to know about details of the law. So far as I was aware schools are entitled to insist upon their pupils wearing school uniform provided that it has been agreed by the governing body and taken into account issues regarding discrimination. I knew that Denbigh High School's uniform had been designed some years ago, and that the design had been kept under regular review. As I have outlined above the requirements of the school uniform policy are well publicised and are made known to parents and prospective pupils well before they enrol in the school. In addition I knew that the Claimant had attended the school for two years wearing school uniform having chosen to attend Denbigh High School as she lives outside our catchment area. I was therefore somewhat taken aback to receive, on the first day of the school year, a demand that a pupil be allowed to wear clothing which was not part of the school uniform particularly as I was not aware of the pupil ever raising this issue before. I thought the manner in which the demand was made was unreasonable as it verged on the threatening. I also thought that the timing was unreasonable in that the pupil arrived at school on the first day of term demanding to wear non-uniform clothing. On behalf of the Headteacher I decided that she had to wear, along with all the other pupils, the correct school uniform. I told her to go home and change and return wearing correct school uniform. This is the normal procedure for cases where children arrive at school in incorrect uniform. To date, with the exception of this one incident, pupils have always complied with this and returned straight to school in correct uniform.
6. The two men said they were not prepared to compromise over this issue and the Claimant was encouraged by them to leave the school, which she did. I immediately reported the matter to Mrs. Bevan, the Headteacher who wrote to the Claimant's family. A copy of that letter is at page D1 of the Claimant's bundle. It reflects what I said to the Claimant and her representatives.
7. At no time did I say or have I ever said that the Claimant could not enter the school. I did tell her to return to school wearing correct school uniform. I certainly never expelled or had the authority to expel the Claimant. No pupil would ever be excluded from Denbigh High School without discussion having taken place with the Headteacher first. I have at all times throughout encouraged her to return to school wearing school uniform."
"I refuse leave to argue that she has been denied education by the second defendant, the Luton Borough Council, for the reasons given by it, on various occasions, in the course of correspondence."
Facts
"You will be aware that a young man came into school today, with your daughter, a pupil in Year 9. She was dressed in a long skirt, which is not part of our school uniform.
The young man claimed to be your representative and demanded that we allow your daughter to wear the skirt to school. He claimed that this was a religious requirement and began quoting human rights at the Assistant Headteacher who eventually agreed to see him. He was told that our school uniform had been agreed with the governing body and that we allowed girls to wear shalwar kameeze or trousers. This is carefully explained to families when pupils start at the school. The young man did not accept this and took your daughter away saying that he was not prepared to compromise on this issue and that he would return with a letter from you giving him permission to act as the girl's legal guardian.
I have to say that the staff who dealt with your representative were not impressed with his manner which appeared unreasonable and threatening. I have spoken to Luton Borough Council's legal department about this matter. I need to inform you that they support our view that our uniform rules are more than reasonable in taking into account cultural and religious concerns.
I not that Shabina did not attend school today because she was removed by your representative. Shabina is required to attend school, dressed in the correct uniform according to school policy and we will be referring this matter to the Educational Welfare Service should she fail to do so.
If you have any further concerns about this matter, you may raise them with Mr Kilby, Chair of Governors who can be contacted through the school. Given the unfortunate nature of your representative's manner, any further contact with the school, until we can be assured of a more reasonable approach, should be made by telephone. "
"because she refused to remove her Muslim dress compromising of a head scarf and a long over garment. The dress she, as a practising Muslim, must wear. Shabina follows the opinion that it is an absolute obligation on her to wear this dress and is not prepared to take the dress off".
The letter continued that "your decision to exclude Shabina" broke Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights ("ECHR"), Article 2 of the First Protocol to the ECHR, and Article 14.
"However, looking around the Muslim world, we find an amazing variety of garments which meet these requirements. Also the clothes of women differ from country to country, and in some countries differ from region to region. Hence we don't see any un-Islamic act for wearing a Shalwar Kamize. Here the important thing is that the Muslim women dress must be within the Islamic guidelines…
You must agree with me that in Islam there are many schools of thought…. Finally, may I add here that whatever I have described in the foregoing paragraphs are the general consensus of the vast majority of the Muslim scholars."
"Thank you for your letter of 3rd January and my apologies for the delay in replying. Since last writing to you we have received further advice from the London Central Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre. I enclose a copy of that advice. Dr. Abushady was supplied with a copy of your letter, together with other documents, all suitably edited so as not to reveal your client's identity.
I do not see that we can take this matter any further in correspondence. In my view the school has a perfectly reasonable policy of requiring its pupils to wear a uniform. That uniform includes a form of dress which not only the local mosques but also the London Central Mosque and the Islamic Cultural Centre approve as satisfying the Islamic dress code. Your client's religious views have not only been considered, but provision has been made to accommodate them. I do not see how you can properly maintain that the school has failed to take account of your client's religious views, nor do I see that the school has failed to take account of her rights accorded by the Human Rights Act. Indeed it has bent over backwards to satisfy all reasonable and proper religious requirements.
I note with considerable regret that, as a result of Shabina's interpretation of the Islamic dress code, she has now missed over a term's education. It is Shabina who will suffer in the long term from missing so much of the school year. Unless she returns to school forthwith I shall invite the Education Welfare Officer to take all steps necessary to ensure that she returns, or that her family otherwise provides suitable education. You will appreciate that this could lead to criminal proceedings. I would much prefer that Shabina receives a decent education rather than the Council mounting a prosecution. I note that you have taken steps to encourage Shabina to return to school for which I am grateful. I would be even more pleased if Shabina returned to school."
"Thank you for your letter dated 31st May 2003 and sorry for the delay. With regard the issue of the dress code of a woman in Islam, I would like to state the following rulings as derived by Shiekh Al-Albani from various sources of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh):
1. The whole body, except for the exempted parts should be covered.
2. But any veil, which in itself becomes an attraction, is to be avoided.
3. Garments should not be semi-transparent.
4. Dress should not be tight fitting.
5. Garments should not be perfumed.
6. The form of dress should not in any way resemble that of men.
7. It should not resemble that of non-believers.
8. Garments should not reflect worldly honour.
In the light of the above conditions it is clear that the shalwar kamize, as appearing in the enclosed picture, do not comply with those basic requirements that must be observed in any garments that woman wear under the Islamic dress code. Moreover, I am enclosing some material, regarding the case of Hijab in Islam, which discusses the matter in more details. In the meantime if you need further information or assistance do not hesitate to contact me. "
"Thank you for your letter regards to your client Shabina Begum. You said that Luton Council lawyers say I am supporting them against your client.
When a man from the Council ask me question he said to me that is Shalwar Quameez anti-Islamic. I answer to him that it is not anti Islamic. This is right because a women can wear all clothes unless they are from another religion or belief.
What you are asking me is what is requirement for mature Muslim lady in the public like school. According to the Islamic rules mature Muslim women must wear headscarf and cloak over other clothing. All part of body except the face and hands must be covered.
I do not agree that shalwar quameez is the alternative for the wearing of cloak and headscarf. Your client Shabina Begum is wearing cloak which is requirement from Islam."
"In relation to the Islamic dress no particular restrictions have been mandated for. But certain restrictions have been stipulated. For example the dress should not be tight but be loose fitting so the parts of the body should not be visible. Men and/or women should not wear identical dress. The mature girl or lady when they are to leave the house they should wear the Jalbaab (long cloak). This long cloak/sheet is called a Jalbaab. The lady or the mature girl must be covered from head to toe.
In relation to the student that you have mentioned and the rights she is demanding from the school in relation to the Jalbaab I am of the opinion that she is correct "
"The view which I take is that the school has at no time infringed any of your Client's rights. It has at all times acted reasonably and with proper consideration for your Client's religious beliefs. The school need do no more than show that it has acted reasonably. In this case the school was not required to make any alteration to its uniform. The school is a secular school in Luton that need do no more than adopt a uniform which is suitable for a secular school in Luton. In this case the school has gone further by way of making further accommodation for the female Musilm pupils in adopting the Shalwar Kameez as a form of its uniform. You will appreciate that before that variation was adopted there was a consultation process amongst all the parents and the Imams of the three local mosques. That consultation process did not reveal any objection to the Shalwar Kameez and it certainly did not suggest that the Shalwar Kameez failed to satisfy the requirements of the Islamic dress code. Furthermore none of those consulted which included parents and mosques, has since approached the school and suggested that its views have been misunderstood or that the Shalwar Kameez is inappropriate.
The school continued to act reasonably when the question arose as to the unsuitability of the Shalwar Kameez for Muslim pupils. The school again contacted the Imans of the Luton Mosques. None of the Imans indicated that their original advice was in any way wrong or that they wished to change it. In addition to that a further approach was made to the Islamic Cultural Centre in Regents Park in London. The reason for approaching an entirely separate mosque was to ensure that a fully informed and independent view was obtained. When seeking the views of the Islamic Cultural Centre the Council sent not only a copy of the design of the Shalwar Kameez but also sent a note written by the Education Welfare Officer, with names suitably removed, and a copy of a lengthy letter from Shabina's then solicitor setting out his interpretation of the requirements of the Islamic dress code. The reply which was received in no way indicated that the Shalwar Kameez failed to satisfy those requirements.
All that can be said now is that there appears to be a difference of opinion between no doubt very learned gentlemen as to the proper interpretation of the Islamic dress code. The school is not required to become involved in any such learned discussion. In my view so long as the school can be seen to have acted reasonably upon material properly obtained, it cannot be criticised merely because there is an alternative view which could be put forward.
As the school has not only acted reasonably but has also taken proper steps to find out what the Islamic dress code requires its female pupils to wear, and has adopted a uniform which satisfies those requirements as given to the school, it cannot be said that the school has in any way interfered with your client's religious beliefs, rights to family life, right to education or other freedom from discrimination. Essentially, the test is one of reasonableness. In my view if you wish to challenge either the approach or the decision taken by the school, you would have to do so on the grounds that it is Wednesbury unreasonable. In short, you would have to show that the approach of the school was verging on the absurd. It is quite clear from the many months of correspondence that I have had that this cannot be done.
It is now well past time that this matter was resolved and that Shabina resumed her education, particularly as she has now missed an entire academic year. It is unlikely that we are going to resolve matters to your liking by way of further correspondence and I would urge you to give careful consideration to whether Shabina would be prepared to return to Denbigh High School wearing the appropriate uniform or whether her family would choose to pay for her to attend an independent Muslim school where a different view may be taken of the Islamic dress code and the wearing of the Zilbab"
"Thank you for your letter of 22 July 2003 addressed to Mr Moore, Deputy Headteacher. I have now conducted my review of the school's position with regard to Shabina's complaint regarding uniform. As you are aware, it is the role of the Headteacher and her representatives to ensure that pupils comply with the uniform policy agreed by the governing body. It is my decision, following a review of this matter, that they have acted correctly and reasonably in upholding the school policy.
In conducting my review I have interviewed the Headteacher and her representative, Mr Moore. I have studied the correspondence from yourself, from Neves solicitors of Luton, from the Children's Legal Centre and associated appendices. I have consulted the guidance on uniform policy, specifically with reference to equal opportunities, issued by the Department for Education and Skills and I have taken into account the school's desire to be sensitive to the needs of different cultures, races and religions.
The reasons for my decision are as follows:
1. The school has a very clear uniform policy which has been agreed by the governing body and which is regularly reviewed by them. The governing body comprises a multifaith, multiracial group, including parents, that is representative of the school community. It is my view that it would be inappropriate to allow variations to a policy, for individual pupils, that has been so determined.
2. The version of the school uniform incorporating the Shalwar Kameeze was adopted after full consultation with the parents, pupils and local mosques. When Shabina's family objected that the Shalwar Kameeze did not satisfy the requirements of the Islamic dress code, the school again consulted local mosques. In addition, full details of the complaint were sent by the Local Education Authority Legal Department to the Islamic Cultural Centre in Regents Park, London for an opinion from an independent learned source. All opinions were that the Shalwar Kameeze satisfies the Islamic dress code.
3. Guidance from the Department for Education and Skills states, "Whilst pupils must adhere to a school's uniform policy, schools must also be sensitive to the needs of different cultures, races and religions. Schools are expected to accommodate these needs, within a general uniform policy." I regard the school's position as outlined in paragraph two to be consistent with this guidance.
4. The governing body is responsible for the health and safety of pupils and the design of the school uniform takes into account these factors. With respect to Shabina's family's specific request, any garment which is of ankle-length would present a health and safety risk to Shabina and other pupils in a school where there are many staircases that are very busy with pupil traffic at various times in the day.
5. The uniform policy has also been designed to facilitate the full range of National Curriculum subjects and the school cannot adopt variations to the policy that may preclude access for some pupils to all subjects.
6. I have noted that Shabina's family opted to send Shabina to Denbigh High School at the time of her transition from Junior School despite the fact that they lived and still live outside the catchment area of the school. This required decisive action on their part when, under the terms of local admission policies, the most normal course of events would have been for Shabina to attend her catchment school. The family made this decision in full knowledge of the school's uniform policy which is communicated clearly to prospective parents in writing, through oral and visual presentations and through meetings with staff.
7. I have also noted that Shabina attended the school for two full years without the family raising any objection to the uniform policy, despite the fact that it is constantly reiterated to parents and students in a variety of ways.
8. It is my view that the school has acted reasonably in consulting widely on its uniform policy and offering a version of the uniform that satisfies the requirements of the Islamic dress code and that it will not be appropriate to make any further provisions for individual's interpretations of religious codes.
I should advise you that if the family remains dissatisfied with my decision, they have the right to request a review by the Governing Body Complaints Committee under the terms of Stage 4 of the School Complaints Policy, a copy of which has been previously forwarded to you. If the family wishes to pursue this course of action, they should write to Mr D Connor, Clerk to Governors, at the school address, who will arrange for the Committee to be convened.
Finally I would like to express my hope that, in the interests of Shabina's education, she will return to school as soon as possible to resume her studies."
"Thank you for your letter of 11th September.
I need to clarify that Denbigh High School has at all times offered and continues to offer a place for Shabina. At no time has Shabina been excluded from school. She has, however, been required to wear a version of the agreed school uniform, an expectation which applies to all students who attend this school. Shabina has the choice of wearing the traditional uniform or the Shalwar Kameeze. Educational provision is therefore on offer to Shabina.
Shabina was given the option of returning to school wearing the Shalwar Kameeze in a form which covers most of her legs which would also be covered by the loose trousers worn underneath. The offer was made on the basis that acceptance of it was without prejudice to her right to argue that she should be entitled to wear the Jilbab and that no point would be taken against her if the offer to be accepted. Although not taken up the offer still remains open.
The school's position is that the version of the school uniform incorporating the Shalwar Kameeze was adopted after full consultation with the parents, pupils and local mosques and taking into account health and safety considerations. No objection was received during this consultation and the mosques approved the design. Shabina herself attended school for two years wearing appropriate school uniform. When Shabina objected last September that the Shalwar Kameeze did not satisfy the requirement of the Islamic dress code, the school again consulted the local mosques. In addition, full details of Shabina's complaint were sent by the Legal Department to the Islamic Cultural Centre in Regents Park, London for an opinion from an independent learned source. All four opinions were that the Shalwar Kameeze satisfies the Islamic dress code. The school's view is that it was acting reasonably in offering a version of the uniform in the form of the Shalwar Kameeze and that such a uniform satisfies the requirements of the Islamic dress code. The school is thus unable to make any further provisions for individual's interpretations of religious codes.
Luton Borough Council has been involved with this matter since its very early stages through the Education Welfare Service and its Legal Department. The Educational Welfare Service has suggested alternative educational provision for Shabina and offered to support the family in this process but I understand that this offer has not been taken up. You may not be aware that Shabina's teachers have sent work to her which Shabina has confirmed with the Education Welfare Service. However, none of this has been returned to the school.
This school has at all times offered and continues to offer to provide Shabina with a proper education. It has ensured, given Shabina's failure to attend, that the Education Welfare Service is pursuing the issue of non-attendance. If Shabina attended this school wearing appropriate school uniform like all the other pupils, she would benefit from the full range of educational facilities available at this school, as they do. At no time has this school ever resolved to cease to provide Shabina with an education. As Shabina has not been excluded fro this school and is free to attend on the same terms as all the other pupils, I do not consider that your comments about her exclusion are relevant or that the compromises you suggest are acceptable."
(i) there is no recommended style(ii) modesty needs to be observed at all times
(iii) trousers with long tops/shirts for school wear are absolutely fine
(iv) a Muslim school girl's uniform does not have to be flowing or of such length that there will be a risk of tripping over and causing an accident.
Mr Akmal wrote:-
"In summary, the dress code prescribed by your school for Muslim females as per your "School Uniform Requirements" leaflet is in accordance with the tenets of Islam."
"that the Headteacher's position in requiring Shabina to dress for school in a manner that conforms to the school uniform policy of the governing body is quite correct."
The Committee's decision is an important part of the history. It is too long to incorporate in the body of the judgment. Accordingly I annex it to this judgment. I make it clear that it is part and parcel of the judgement in this case.
"Shalwar Kameeze. Shalwar: tapered at the ankle, not baggy. Kameeze: between knee and mid-calf length, not gathered or flared. Fabric must be cotton or poplin, not shiny, silky or crinkly.
Headscarves. Girls who wish to wear headscarves may do so as long as these conform to the requirements listed below."
Nothing turns on the requirements, so I do not list them.
(i) the Defendant has unlawfully excluded the Claimant from school contrary to sections 64-68 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 ("SSFA 1998") and/or section 52 of the Education Act 2002 ("EA 2002") and the Education (Pupils Exclusions and Appeals)(Maintained Schools)(England) Regulations 2002 ("Regulations 2002")
(ii) the Defendant and the LBC have unlawfully denied the Claimant access to suitable and appropriate education in breach of Article 2 Protocol 1 of the ECHR and section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998 ("HRA 1998")
(iii) the Defendant and LBC have unlawfully denied the Claimant the right to manifest her religion in breach of Article 9 of the ECHR and section 6(1) of the HRA 1998
(iv) a mandatory order that the Defendant and LBC make swift arrangements for the Claimant's return to Denbigh High School
(v) damages.
a) sections 64-68 of the SSFA 1998
b) the statutory guidance contained in Circular 10/99 Social Inclusion: Pupil Support
c) the statutory guidance contained in DfES Publication on Improving Behaviour and Attendance: Guidance on Exclusion from Schools and Pupil Referral Units (Jan 2003)
d) the non-statutory guidance in DfES Uniform Guidance 0264/2002
e) section 52 of the EA 2002 and the Regulations 2002, replacing the corresponding provisions in the SSFA 1998.
"Cultural, Race and Religious Requirements.
10. Whilst pupils must adhere to a school's uniform policy, schools must be sensitive to the needs of different cultures, races and religions. The Department expects schools to accommodate these needs, within a general uniform policy. For example, allowing Muslim girls to wear appropriate dress and Sikh boys to wear traditional headdress.
11. The Department does not consider it appropriate that any pupil should be disciplined for non-compliance with a school uniform policy, which results from them having to adhere to a particular cultural, race or religious dress code."
"[25] That letter makes it clear that the solicitors understood that the headteacher could not guarantee the claimant's health and safety were he to come to school. I was not shown any correspondence from the defendants which contradicted the assertion in the last sentence of the first paragraph of that letter.
[27] In my judgment that paragraph meant and was intended to mean that the headteacher could not guarantee the health and safety of the claimant should he return to school. I am firmly of the view that the claimant's father was entitled to treat that as a strong warning as to the possible consequences to A should he return to the school and as strong advice that he should not do so. The parents were, in effect, being told that A would not receive the normal supervision and guidance that pupils receive and thus he was at risk of accidents which would normally be prevented and at risk from other pupils. Mr Guy writes in his statement that he had never refused education to A (pF16). Apart from this, he does not suggest that the paragraph should be read in some benign manner. A's parents were entitled, in my judgment, to treat the letter as, in effect, a letter excluding A from school. There is nothing in the documents before me to suggest the contrary. That warning and advice remained operative at least until the end of term."
"The school's Inclusive Learning Area is an integral part of its main school community and provision. It is there to provide short-term respite and support for individuals who require this. The provision is limited and does not, and is not intended to, offer full access to the curriculum. It is not an open-ended long- term provision. The same school expectations, including those for uniform apply to students while they are in this area. "
In my judgement those reasons are unanswerable.
"It also shows a complete disregard for due process in relation to how school uniform is agreed by governing bodies. The advice received by the legal department and the school and presented to the Claimant about appropriate dress for Muslim girls was not accepted."
In my judgement this proposal was no compromise at all. It was in reality a reiteration of the Claimant's fundamental stance. In any event given all the circumstances of the case the reaction of Mrs. Bevan cannot be categorised as unreasonable.
Article 9 of the ECHR
"FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
2. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others."
"I would like to clarify that the Shalwar Kameeze does not comply with Islam. It is not considered as a cloak, the Shalwar Kameeze does not cover the arm and the leg as required in the Islamic dress code,"
There is no elaboration as to why she was happy to wear the Shalwar Kameeze at school for two years, nor why she changed her mind.
3. Shabina has attended the Denbigh High School, Luton, since 2000. When she first attended the school, she wore the approved school uniform. The school stipulates a shalwar kameez. I exhibit a photograph of the shalwar kameez uniform for female Muslim students as exhibit SB/1. As Shabina become older she took an increasing interest in her religion. Through her study of religion she discovered that the shalwar kameez is not an acceptable form of dress for Muslim women in public places. The shalwar kameez is actually a Pakistani cultural dress and has no religious foundation. The Islamic Sharia (Islamic Jurisdiction) on the teachings of the Holy Qur'an, require women over 13 to completely cover the body with the exception of face and hands. The shalwar kameez school uniform is not acceptable because the white shirt reveals too much of the arms and the skirt length is not long enough, it should be down to the ankles.
4. In Year 8, Shabina brought this to the attention of some of her teachers. She became increasingly determined to follow her religion faithfully and therefore on the 5th September 2002 I went with her to the Denbigh School."
"… it recalls that, but for very exceptional cases, the right to freedom of religion as guaranteed under Convention excludes any discretion on the part of the State to determine whether religious beliefs or the means used to express such beliefs are legitimate."
Article 9(2)
"… necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of… health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. "
"15. Since the Claimant's case has been publicised, several children have spoken to staff about their concerns that the jilbab might become school uniform. It has been my view, which has been adopted by staff, that it would be inappropriate to enquire of the pupils their feelings about any specific changes to the school uniform. Part of the rationale for this has been that seeking such views might either cause or stir up division amongst pupils. Nevertheless, the publicity associated with this case has meant that a number of pupils have approached the staff of their own initiative. Firstly, Muslim girls have talked to teachers about their concern that they might be forced to wear the jilbab and, possibly, at a later stage, the niqab (face covering). Secondly, non-Muslim children have talked to teachers about their fears that the school would seem to be favouring a particular religion. They feel that this particular mode of dress is associated with extreme views and would make them very vulnerable as non-Muslims. In addition to this if the jilbab were to be introduced as part of the school uniform there is a risk of creating two classes of pupil. The risk would arise from the jilbab being worn by those who followed a particularly strict interpretation of the Islamic dress code whilst some other form of the school uniform would be worn by others. This could result in the view that better Muslims wear the jilbab. Any Muslim pupil wearing some other form of uniform could thus be regarded as a second class Muslim. A number of parents have expressed this as a concern. In addition to this, views have been expressed by pupils that those wearing the jilbab would be identified with extreme Muslim sects. Many Muslim girls do not wish to be so identified and therefore object to wearing the jilbab. The non-Muslims have expressed the view that they would be afraid of people wearing the jilbab as that would identify them withy extremists.
16. From what I have been told by pupils and staff I am of the view that there is a number of girls in the school who are resisting the efforts of others to recruit them to extreme Muslim groups. They are grateful that they are not allowed to wear the jilbab at school as this would be unnecessarily restrictive as well as being associated with an extremist group. They are pleased that they can continue to wear the shalwar kameeze. I have been given the firm impression that there is a number of girls in the school which relies on us to help them resist the pressures from the more extreme groups. I fear that if the school uniform were to be either adapted to include the jilbab or if the jilbab were to replace the shalwar kameeze these girls would be deprived of proper protection and would feel abandoned by those upon whom they were relying to preserve their freedom to follow their own part of the Islamic tradition. The school has not previously put forward this argument as it did not wish to highlight the unfortunate position in which some of the girls found themselves in resisting certain religious views. Now that this matter is before the High Court I wish to put forward all the arguments which are reasonably available to me. In addition to that, since this case has been given publicity, the school has been picketed by groups of mainly young men who would appear to be from the more extreme Muslim traditions. The problem has thus become much more obvious.
42. My own views on the desirability for the school retaining a uniform are not only are those set out in the Governor's decision but include the need to support inclusion and social cohesion. If the school were to allow pupils to wear a variety of different forms of clothing there would be the potential for the forming of groups and cliques who would be identified by the clothes that they wear. In my view that would make the delivery of the curriculum more difficult as well as undermining the strong positive and inclusive ethos of the school.
43. I am very concerned that the Court is being given an erroneous impression of what the school requires of pupils who wear the shalwar kameeze. The design is set out in the diagram which forms part of DHS 1 (p4). The model shown is not wearing full school uniform as she is not wearing the v-neck jumper which forms part of the uniform. I find it extraordinary that the Claimant is prepared to bring a case to Court complaining about Denbigh High School's uniform without telling the Court what the requirements really are. The photograph at page D 35 of the Claimant's bundle does not fully set out the school uniform. The girl's arms are not covered, as they are required to be. She appears to be wearing ordinary trousers rather than loose trousers gathered at the ankle shown in the diagram of the school uniform. Whilst the tunic satisfies the requirements for minimum length, the photograph does not tell you that the tunic may extend to mid-calf.
45. The summary of the requirements of the Islamic dress code set out in the Governor's letter produced at DHS 15 (p128) accords with my understanding of the dress code. In my view the shalwar kameeze providing one version of school uniform satisfies all those requirements. Only the face and hands are exposed. The outlines of the body and limbs are obscured. Apart from the Claimant no-one has complained about the uniform being inadequate for Muslim girls. In the 12 years in which the shalwar kameeze has formed a part of the school uniform there has been not one complaint from a parent, teacher, governor or mosque that the shalwar kameeze is unsuitable. The school uniform cannot have escaped the attention of the local mosques in all those years, yet there has been no approach to the school even to suggest that the Shalwar Kameeze was unsatisfactory. On the contrary, the Luton Council of Mosques which represents fourteen local mosques supports the school's uniform policy.
51. I do not accept that the school has set out to discriminate against the Claimant either on the basis of who she is or what she believes. As I have set out above, the school has for many years taught pupils from a wide variety of ethnic origins, cultural backgrounds and religious faiths. It has set out to accommodate everyone so far as it reasonably can whilst providing a suitable environment in which to learn and live together in harmony. It is my view that a school uniform is necessary to instil the right ethos, and to enable pupils to do well academically. I believe that my views have been reflected in the improvements made by the school since I became headteacher. Over those years the school has changed from being well below national averages and viewed negatively within the community to being well above average and oversubscribed.
52. It is against that background that I and the governors have insisted that the Claimant wears school uniform, in exactly the same way as all the other pupils. By adopting the tunic and loose trousers, together with the headscarf, the school has set out to accommodate the requirements of the Islamic dress code. As the requirements of the school uniform were well publicised before the Claimant chose to come to Denbigh High School (and must have been well known to her as her elder sister was already at the school) and as they were satisfactory to her for two years, and were also satisfactory to all the other pupils both past and present, I do not see how the school is discriminating against the Claimant. She is being treated in exactly the same way as all the other pupils, a very high percentage of whom are Muslim. "
"3. Denbigh High is a very successful school in academic and social terms. The examination outcomes are regularly among the best in the country compared with other schools with a similar intake. The school makes a significant contribution to social cohesion in a catchment area that is racially, culturally and religiously diverse. The school has worked closely with the Department for education and skills on supporting a training video to support educational inclusion. Many other projects in the school such as the use of learning mentors, conflict resolution projects and the promotion of culturally representative activities such as Asian music, Caribbean music and facilities for religious expression celebrate diversity within a cohesive framework.
4. The governing body of the school has adopted for many years now a clear school policy to promote a positive ethos of cohesion and success. This policy has been carefully developed after extensive consultation to ensure that students share a sense of community identity, whilst taking account of cultural or religious sensitivities, particularly with respect to appropriate modesty.
5. The policy also recognises the need for students to dress in a way that allows them full access to the school curriculum that does not in any was compromise their health or their safety. The uniform adopted by the governing body meets these various requirements. A copy of that document can be seen at DHS 1(pp 1-5).
6. I became aware on 3 September 2003 that a female student in year 9 had presented herself wearing a long skirt that did not meet the requirements of the school uniform policy. I later learned that, on being required to go home and return in correct uniform, she re-presented with two young men who demanded that she would continue to wear the long skirt. I became aware of this matter through the daily leadership team briefings that we hold as a matter of course in the school. I found out from later involvement in the matter that her real demand was to wear a long, flowing garment worn by some women of the Muslim faith known as a jilbab.
7. The matter raised a number of concerns for me with respect to my curriculum responsibility, which I shared with my senior colleagues at the time.
8. My first concern is that we would not be able to guarantee full access to the school and the national curriculum for a student dressed in a long flowing garment. A significant part of the curriculum is delivered in science laboratories involving Bunsen burners, a variety of chemicals and equipment of a fragile nature such as glassware. There is a statutory obligation for the school to deliver the national curriculum in science to all its pupils and this requires that they take part in practical scientific activities using the equipment described above. It is my concern, supported by risk assessments conducted in the school that that a long, flowing garment such as the one the complainant wishes to wear could get caught in the flame of a Bunsen burner or upset and break glass equipment leaving sharp fragments or knock equipment over causing a spillage of chemicals.
9. Other parts of the curriculum are delivered in food technology workshops with naked flame gas cookers and resistant material workshops with woodwork and metalwork equipment. There is a danger that long, flowing garments could catch fire from the naked flame of a gas cooker or become trapped in machinery such as that designed for cutting and fashioning wood and metal.
12. A further important aspect of the school and national curriculum is physical education, sports and games. The school delivers a full physical education curriculum as required by the department for education and skills that incorporates a range of activities including team games such as football and netball, swimming, individual sports such as tennis, gymnastics and badminton, fitness activities such as cross country running to name but a few. Many of these activities are undertaken of necessity in mixed gender groups and on school playing fields and outside courts that are in full view of passers- by and adjacent classroom windows.
13. The school uniform policy as adopted by governors recognises the need to safeguard the modesty and religious sensitivities of some groups of girls while requiring them to dress in a way for appropriate for physical education. Their dress must allow them to participate fully without endangering safety by tripping over loose garments or endangering health by wearing clothes that would result in the wearer becoming inappropriately hot. To support their learning, they must dress in a way that allows for extensive freedom of movement. The agreed code to support these requirements consists of tracksuit trousers, long-sleeved tee shirt and securely tied headscarf.
14. The school would not be able to meet its statutory responsibility to deliver to a student the national curriculum for physical education if the student were to wear a long flowing garment such as a jilbab. Such a garment would present a real danger of tripping, or of tripping others and it would not allow for the effective dissipation of body heat generated by vigorous physical activity. Also, such a garment would not allow for the freedom of movement required for a pupil to become fully involved in the physical activities required by the curriculum.
17. In my experience of working in schools that incorporate wide diversity, there is the potential for groups of pupils to identify themselves as distinct from other groups along cultural, religious or racial lines and for conflict to develop between such groups. Indeed, in my experience in this school a number of years ago, I had to deal with a very difficult and potentially dangerous situation of intransigent conflict between two groups of pupils who defined themselves along racial lines. It is for this reason, among others, that the school adopts a uniform policy that does not allow pupils to identify themselves obviously as belonging to a particular religion or race. The school uniform is designed to identify pupils as part of the inclusive community of the school and avoid the possibility of sub-groups identified by dress developing as might be the case if a school were to adopt a dress code that was non-uniform.
20. It is my experience that peer pressure is very powerful amongst adolescents. Another reason for adopting a uniform policy is to protect students from peer pressure to wear particular styles of dress. A number of girls have reported to colleagues of mine that they are concerned that if the jilbab were to be incorporated as part of the school uniform, they would come under peer pressure and pressure from outside extremist groups to wear the jilbab when their real preference is to wear clothes that do not associate them with what they perceive to be extremist views. I believe the school has a duty to protect these pupils from these pressures.
37. Teachers also apply to work at this school in the knowledge that it is a secular school. It is very important to many teachers who believe strongly that they do not wish to be associated with promoting a particular faith that they can work in a secular school. If governors were to adopt a school uniform policy which resulted in a significant proportion of pupils outwardly identifying themselves according to their faith, this could create the impression that this is a school which favours that faith. This could affect recruitment and retention, as well as undermine the principles of social cohesion referred to in earlier paragraphs."
"23. Several staff have been approached by non-Muslim pupils saying that they are afraid of people wearing the jilbab, as they perceive this form of dress to be associated with extremist views. This makes them feel vulnerable. Whilst I would not consider it right to pander to the prejudices or fears of some pupils, I think it would be most unfortunate if some pupils were to be held in fear by others, or regarded as in some way separate, because of the clothes they wear.
24. Similarly this view has also been reflected by some Muslim girls who have indicated to staff that they do not wish to wear the jilbab, as this would identify them as belonging to extreme Muslim sects. They do not wish to be identified with such people.
25. In a recent pupil survey, not connected with wearing of the jilbab, there was a space for further comments. Many pupils indicated how much they liked Denbigh High School and the uniform in particular. One pupil suggested that the school introduce the jilbab. She did not suggest that she wanted to wear one. As she wears trousers to school and not the shalwar kameeze, I think it unlikely that she would wish to adopt the jilbab. There have been no other suggestions from pupils, parents, governors or teachers that we adopt the jilbab.
26. At the Appeal hearing the Claimant indicated that although she does not regard Muslims who wear the shalwar kameeze as bad people, she does think better Muslims wear the jilbab. I would not wish to see the introduction of two classes of Muslim, the inferior class that wears the shalwar kameeze and the better Muslim who wears the jilbab. In my view that would lead to real risk of pressure being brought upon Muslim girls to wear the jilbab or be regarded as religious inferiors. I would fear that this could lead to some girls feeling pressured into wearing the jilbab when they would prefer to wear the shalwar kameeze, and might wish to avoid being classified with the kinds of people they believe wear the jilbab.
27. It is my view that to change the school uniform in the way the claimant suggests would lead to divisiveness within the school and would threaten the cohesion within the school. Denbigh High School has a very diverse intake. The current school uniform has served the school well promoting a positive ethos and sense of community identity. It ensures that students are dressed in a way that is safe, practical and appropriate for learning and prevents students from feeling disadvantaged because they cannot afford the latest designer items. This makes pupils less vulnerable to teasing because of the clothes they are wearing. The current uniform has been carefully and sensitively designed to take into account a range of considerations and to be inclusive in serving the needs of our diverse community. "
Article 2 Protocol 1
"RIGHT TO EDUCATION
No person shall be denied the right to education. In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions."
"The first sentence of Article 2 of the Protocol (P1-2) consequently guarantees, in the first place, a right of access to educational institutions existing at a given time, but such access constitutes only a part of the right to education. For the "right to education" to be effective, it is further necessary that, inter alia, the individual who is the beneficiary should have the possibility of drawing profit from the education received, that is to say, the right to obtain, in conformity with the rules in force in each State, and one form or another, official recognition of the studies which he has completed. The Court will deal with this matter in greater detail it examines the last of the six specific questions listed in the submissions of those who appeared before it."
"45. The realistic principle that, subject to the Convention's own limits, the right to education takes the form prescribed in each member state carries in my judgment the necessary corollary that any question whether there has been a violation of the right has to be answered initially in terms of the applicable domestic law. For the reasons given by Ms Booth, which I accept, the answer yielded by the latter will not be determinative, but it is the indispensable starting point. Thus if no breach of domestic law is found, it is only if that law itself materially offends against the Convention that the Human Rights Act moves one on to the question of a remedy. If a breach of domestic law is found, it remains to be decided whether it has resulted in a denial of the Convention right. Put broadly, there will be such a denial where the breach of domestic law has resulted in the pupil's being unable to avail himself of the means of education which presently exist in England and Wales – not, for example, by being temporarily unable to reach the school premises for want of transport, but by being shut out for a significant or an indefinite period from access to such education as the law provides for him or her.
46. This does not necessarily mean access to every available aspect of education. We are bound in this regard by the decision of a majority of their Lordship's House in R (L(a minor)) v Governors of J School [2003] 2 AC 633 that "reinstatement" in a school can accommodate the almost complete segregation of the pupil from the rest of the school community. But the question in the present case is whether the accepted unlawfulness of A's complete exclusion from the school which he would otherwise have been entitled to attend amounted, while it lasted, to a denial of his Convention right to education in the form in which it was vouchsafed by domestic law – a different question from that decided by their Lordship's House.
55. On the latter view, the factual differential would fall to be reflected in damages, though these might well turn out to be modest or nominal. I accept, too, that the argument on which this view depends is the more principled argument. But my preference in the end is for the first and more pragmatic of the two approaches. Given the common ground that it cannot be every unlawful act or omission on the part of the state which, by blocking the pupil's access, amounts to a breach of the Convention right to education, it follows that the quality of a breach of the law cannot be divorced from its consequences or sequel. In other words, an unlawful exclusion during which the pupil is offered no education at all by either the school or the LEA is a different thing in Convention terms from an unlawful exclusion during which adequate or appropriate substitute education is offered. This gives s.19 a proper role in gauging domestic compliance with the Convention, for I have no doubt that, if the school itself does not send useful work home for an excluded pupil, s.19 triggers LEA intervention. "Illness, exclusion from school or otherwise" seems to me to eliminate any question about the legality of the exclusion, though one would always expect the LEA independently of s.19 to satisfy itself that an exclusion which came to its notice was lawful and appropriate.
59. In such a situation does the school's continuing offer to provide work at home still furnish an answer? Alternatively, should the LEA carry the full blame for not having picked up A's needs under s.19? I will consider the second question separately.
60. I suggested earlier in this judgment, in relation to the first three phases, that the quality of a breach of the law cannot be divorced from its consequences or sequel, so that the provision or offer of homework was material. If that is right, it must equally be true of the fourth phase. But it does not follow that the same approach to the fourth phase produces the same answer, and in my judgment it does not produce the same answer. It makes practical sense to hold that excluding a pupil at a time when, and in circumstances in which, temporary exclusion is both lawful and factually permissible, but going about it otherwise than in accordance with the law, is a denial of the pupil's right to education only if no worthwhile substitute is meanwhile put in place. It offends good sense and justice, by contrast, to hold that to exclude a pupil otherwise than permanently from the school at which he is enrolled when to do so is prohibited by the law and, even more, when it becomes apparent that there is anyway no factual basis for doing so, is still not a denial of his right to education so long as substitute homework is offered to him. The denial of education – which is what it seems to me to have been – was compounded by the failure of the governors to consider whether the exclusion could lawfully continue. Had they considered it, they could have come to only one conclusion.
61. I would hold accordingly that in phase 4 A's Convention right to education was denied, notwithstanding that the school was still offering to provide him with substitute work to do at home. The availability of such work may go to the damages for this phase of exclusion, but it does not affect liability."
Our Ref: HA/JP
5 November 2003
Mr Basharat Ali
Aman Solicitors Advocates
37 Alum Rock Road
Saltley
Birmingham
B8 1LR
Dear Mr Ali
Re Shabina Begum DOB: 19.09.88 - Governors Complaints Committee
Complaints Committee - Mrs Helen Abji (Chair – co-opted governor)
Mrs Heather Cox (Co-opted governor)
Mr Neville White (LEA governor)
Mr Joe Murtaza (Parent governor)
Complainant - Miss Shabina Begum
Mr Rahman (Shabina's elder brother)
Mr Khuram Liaquat (Representing Shabina's family)
School - Mrs Yasmin Bevan (Headteacher)
Mr Stuart Moore (Assistant Headteacher)
Clerk to Governors - Mr Dan Connor
Cont/d…-2-
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