By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-03 15:50:32 | Updated at 2026-09-03 16:37:37
1 hour ago
A Labour-run London council has been forced to clarify the uniform policy of a school in response to "deep concerns" over female pupils being obliged to wear hijabs, GB News can reveal.
Barnet Hill Academy, an independent Islamic faith school, requires girls from the age of seven to wear hijabs as part of the uniform and will become state-funded this month after the local authority approved its application.
In light of the concern, a Barnet Council spokesman told GB News: “The school has confirmed that wearing a hijab is not compulsory for non-Muslims.
"They have updated the uniform policy on their website to state this. The school’s uniform policy is consistent with those of other faith schools.”
The updated website details how Barnet Hill Academy's uniform and Islamic dress code are "closely aligned with our school ethos, which aims at directing our children towards Islamic values and norms".
"As such, we apply the terms uniform and Islamic dress interchangeably, as our students, particularly KS2 i.e. from Year 3 upwards, are engaged in acts of worship, congregational prayer, recitation of the Quran and many other acts which fall within the bounds of Islam, Islamic worship and rituals", the site reads.
The school's website was updated today after backlash mounted
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I states a plain white hijab as an aspect of the uniform but reiterates: "This is not a requirement for any non-Muslim students attending the school."
Seemingly contrary to this, the page also says: "All students are expected to wear the uniform and dress in accordance with the expectations set out above."
The school describes school uniform as "an essential part of every school, it conveys the school ethos, establishes standards of dress and conduct and helps students form a unique sense of pride and identity in themselves and their school".
Price & Buckland provide the school uniform service and have done so since 1959.
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