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Monday, January 14, 2013

UK Greek Orthodox primary being taken to court in head scarf row


THE PARENTS of a Muslim girl are taking the UK’s only Greek Orthodox primary school to court for refusing to let her wear a headscarf.

The story has been reported across several media outlets – in the UK and elsewhere –after the parents of the nine-year-old applied to the High Court to lift the school’s ban.

The head of St Cyprian’s primary school in south London’s Croydon, Kate Magliocco, said the parents believe it would be sinful for the nine-year-old to be seen without a headscarf in the presence of male teachers. 

“The school has a very particular uniform policy, which is shared with parents and, as head, I must follow the plan,” Magliocco said adding that the family were informed of their policy before the student joined them.

The parents have withdrawn their daughter from the school but want to reinstate her because her brother still goes there.

The school’s mission statement says that it aims to support “supportive learning environment through the national curriculum, enriched by the progressive teaching of the Greek language and Christian Orthodox religion.”
The school also states on its website that it is committed to “promoting good relations between members of different racial, cultural and religious groups”.

The London Evening Standard said last week that the school’s uniform policy on its website required girls to wear a dark blue coat, optional blazer, a skirt, white blouse and a navy blue pullover, but was silent on headscarves.
The school’s website lists a few dozen school policies, but now makes no mention of a school uniform policy. 

The UK government’s guidance on uniforms says that there is “no legislation that deals specifically with school uniform or other aspects of appearance such as hair colour and style, and the wearing of jewellery and make-up.”

On the issue of ethnic and religious dress, the government advises schools “to be sensitive to the needs of different cultures, races and religions” and “to act reasonably in accommodating these needs within a general uniform policy”.

Though geared towards children of Greek Orthodox faith, the school makes available 15 per cent of its intake to non-Orthodox Christian children and a further 5.0 per cent to children of other faiths.

A 2010 report by Ofsted, the UK’s schools’ inspection body, says that 60 per cent of the pupils come from families of Greek origin or other European backgrounds, and 10 per cent have white British backgrounds.
The same report says that “while pupils respect the diversity of the beliefs of their classmates, they have less secure understanding of those having different backgrounds or who live in contrasting localities in the United Kingdom.”

But it also said that the school’s communities have a harmonious relationship.
The High Court is due to hold a hearing on the case next month, the London Evening Standard said.

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