The Barnet Hill Academy hijab uniform policy has been reported to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), after the Islamic faith school in West Hendon recently joined the state sector as a voluntary-aided school. The policy requires girls from Year 3 to wear a white hijab as part of their school uniform.
The school, on Montagu Road, had its application to become a voluntary-aided (VA) school approved by Barnet Council last month, with the change taking effect from 1 September 2026. Its published uniform policy requires girls from Year 3 — aged seven — to wear a white hijab as part of their school uniform.
The National Secular Society (NSS) raised concerns about the policy last month. Following public reaction, the school amended its published uniform policy to specify that the hijab is not compulsory for “non-Muslim students”.
Barnet Hill Academy hijab policy reported to equality watchdog
On Monday, Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott asked Education Secretary Lucy Powell in Parliament: “Does she think it is acceptable for young girls to be required to wear a hijab to school as part of their school uniform?” Powell replied: “No.”
Trott, together with Shadow Equalities Minister Joy Morrissey, has reported the school to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. They say the uniform policy may violate students’ human rights and discriminate against girls and non-Muslims.
National Secular Society spokesperson Alejandro Sanchez said: “We welcome the education secretary’s confirmation that schools should not require hijab as part of their uniform policy.” He added: “Her department must now ensure that no school is allowed to enforce sexist religious modesty codes. Women should be free to choose religious dress; young girls should not have it imposed upon them.”
Council defends “legally compliant” policy
Barnet Council maintains that the uniform policy is legally compliant and not compulsory for non-Muslim pupils. The council says the school will operate “inclusive admission arrangements” for children of all faiths and none, and that its policies support the “elimination of discrimination” and the “advancement of equality of opportunity”.
The council also told the Telegraph that the school had said Muslims are only required to wear the hijab for worship, although this is not reflected in the current uniform policy.
The council’s decision to admit the school to the state sector was classified as a “key decision”, but it was taken by an unelected officer and was not considered by councillors.
The story follows a busy period for education news in the capital, where a primary school in Dagenham has won UNICEF UK’s top Gold award for children’s rights, while London schools have bucked the national decline in GCSE language learning.
