A former teacher at a school accused of ordering female staff to wear a hijab – an Islamic scarf – claims she quit over pressure to follow Muslim dress code.
The Derby Telegraph revealed exclusively on Friday claims that the city’s Al-Madinah School had imposed a strict dress code, made female pupils sit at the back of classes and told staff they could not take non-halal food into school or wear jewellery.
The 50-year-old teacher, who has more 20 years of classroom experience, started work there when it opened as a multi-faith free school a year ago.
She said: “It wasn’t until an induction session, just before the school opened, that female non-Muslim staff were told they must wear a head covering, which was not made clear at any time during my interview for the job or was part of any contract.
“I reluctantly complied and either wore a head scarf or small hat, but took it off when I wasn’t in the classroom, but for which I was reprimanded.
“Wearing the head covering was difficult for me because I am a Christian and had I known it was compulsory for non-Muslim staff I would never have accepted the position.”
The teacher, who does not want to be named, said she began to be “hassled” about the rest of her clothing and, on one occasion, was sent a text from the school saying it “insisted on” a “modest dress code. Full length dress or skirt acceptable”.
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She said she asked how her outfit – a business suit – was not modest. “The skirt was well below the knee and I wore thick black tights that covered my legs.”
She said she was offended at the suggestion that she had dressed immodestly in the workplace.
The teacher said she was particularly angry after she was told to take instructions from two male teachers about what was considered “modest”. She said: “I wrote back to the head pointed out that ‘in nearly 20 years in teaching, I have always dressed in a professional manner’.
After starting at the school when it opened in September 2012, she claims it was October before the dress code was issued in a handbook to all staff, which indicated that they should only have their faces and hands uncovered when in the school.
She has handed a copy of the dress code to the Derby Telegraph.
She said: “In the interim, I had expressed my concerns to the school about being forced to wear Muslim dress but as there did not seem to be any leeway, I went on sick leave as advised by my union.
“The school then put me on ‘gardening leave’ and I eventually left in December.
“I am extremely disappointed by my experience. The school seems to me more concerned about dress codes and not putting the children’s education first.
“I also objected to the school’s policy of sitting girls at the back of classrooms, to no avail. The reason given was that girls are allowed to look at boys but the boys are not allowed to look at the girls, but how can that be good for the children’s education?
“I am disappointed that the school does not appear to be the multi-faith school I was excited about joining. I felt oppressed, faced with prejudice and marginalised. I also missed opportunities to take other jobs because I accepted this one.
“I have written and spoken to the Department for Education to complain about what has been happening at the school, and specifically about my experience, and am awaiting a response.”
Al-Madinah School, which has a primary section in Norman House, Friar Gate, and a secondary department in Nelson Street, Derby, has declined to comment, despite repeated requests by the Derby Telegraph first made more than two weeks ago.
The school is already being investigated by the Education Funding Agency, from which it receives public money, over alleged irregularities over its grants. It has already been given £1.4 million and can expect to receive more to spend on a new building.
Now it is expected that officials from the Office for Standards in Education will inspect the school within days following the furore over the dress code claims and concerns by unions over the standards of education at the school.
A Department for Education spokesman said: “‘These allegations are very worrying.
“We have already been investigating this school for other reasons.
“Ofsted was due to inspect it this term and after discussions will bring forward its inspection.
“The DfE will not hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to prevent religious intolerance or any breaking of the rules for free schools.”
Al-Madinah’s Staff Dress Code
Al-Madinah is an Islamic Free school. Within the school we value and esteem our teachers and consider them to be strong role models for all of the students and representatives of the school with all external individuals and organisations. We wish to create an Islamic environment within the school for the sake of the students and to cater for the sensitivities of the community. Although some of the following points are not Islamically-binding upon all individuals except those who wish to adhere to the faith by choice, Al-Madinah School has adopted them as a code of dress for all teachers.
The code of dress for teachers has been adopted by the school and all teachers must adhere to it. By signing the contract of employment with Al-Madinah school all employees agree to adhere to this policy.
1. Clothing must cover the entire body, only the hands, face and feet may remain visible
2. The material must not be so thin that one can see through it.
3. The clothing must hang loose so that the shape of the body is not apparent.
4. The design of the clothing must not display any symbols of other faiths.
5. All clothing must be full sleeved and all lower body garments must be loose and covering to the ankles.
6. Skirts must be ankle length and must be loose and flowing.
7. Teachers should not wear overt jewellery or clothing accessories.
8. Wearing of the Niqab or Burqa during work hours is not permitted.
Allah has stated in the Quran that women must guard their modesty. “Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof.” (Quran: 24.31)
“Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty that will make for greater purity for them, and God is well acquainted with all they do.” (Quran:24.30)
