--- title: "Humanists UK commends Education Secretary: schools must not force girls to wear hijab" date: "2026-09-16T16:54:52+01:00" modified: "2026-09-16T16:55:22+01:00" url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/09/16/humanists-uk-commends-education-secretary-schools-must-not-force-girls-to-wear-hijab/" post_id: 198167 categories: ["News"] --- # Humanists UK commends Education Secretary: schools must not force girls to wear hijab ![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/iStock-1433111675-1200x800-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)Humanists UK has commended Education Secretary Lucy Powell for stating that it is unacceptable for schools to require young girls to wear the hijab as part of their uniform – a principled stand, it said, for children’s own freedom of religion or belief. Asked in the House of Commons [on Monday](https://commonsbusiness.parliament.uk/Document/106988/Pdf?subType=Standard) by Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott whether it was acceptable for young girls to be required to wear a hijab to school as part of their school uniform, Powell answered simply: ‘No.’ Humanists UK said the answer was the right one, and that the Department for Education should now make it clear to every state-funded school that religious dress codes cannot be imposed on children. ### **Children’s rights** Freedom of religion or belief belongs to every person, [including every child](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/childrens-rights/). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises the child’s own right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, with parents’ role being to guide – not dictate – in line with the child’s growing maturity. That right is the child’s own right, and it cannot be waived by the child’s school on their behalf. A uniform rule that compels a seven-year-old girl to wear religious dress takes that decision out of her hands entirely. It is also clearly sexist: it places a ‘modesty’ burden on girls that is not placed on boys, teaching an unequal lesson from the earliest years. Humanists UK applies the same principle to [compulsory collective worship in schools](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/policy-unit/religious-worship-in-schools/): religious practice should be something children come to freely as they grow up, never a requirement of the law, the school, or their parents. The same principle means that Humanists UK stands by [the right of freedom of religion or belief](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/policy-unit/freedom-of-religion-or-belief/) for people to not face discrimination on the basis of their beliefs, and to manifest their beliefs in their daily life, without discrimination. This same principle underpins the right for adults and older children to freely wear religious dress, including headscarves and crucifixes, and to not be unlawfully discriminated against on that basis. ### **How the issue arose** The row centres on Barnet Hill Academy in north London, an Islamic school which joined the state sector this month as a voluntary aided faith school. Its published uniform policy requires girls from the age of seven to wear the hijab. Following criticism, the school added that the requirement does not apply to non-Muslim pupils, and Powell told MPs the school had assured her the hijab was not compulsory, though [the policy on its website](https://www.barnethillacademy.org.uk/parents/uniform) still said otherwise for pupils it regards as Muslim. Humanists UK has also noted that, as a voluntary aided school, Barnet Hill Academy is also able to select up to 100% of its pupils on religious grounds when oversubscribed. Humanists UK has long campaigned against opening new religious state schools and against [religious selection in admissions](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/policy-unit/faith-school-admissions/). ### **Freedom of choice** Donna Craine is Support and Advocacy Services Manager for [Faith to Faithless](https://humanists.uk/faith-to-faithless/), the Humanists UK service supporting people who have faced abuse, coercive control, or shunning for leaving a high-control religion. She said that many callers to the Faith to Faithless helpline have been made to wear a headscarf against their will by family or community leaders, and that this has caused them a great deal of distress. #### **Humanists UK Support and Advocacy Services Manager Donna Craine said:** > ‘Our helpline hears from people every week – disproportionately from women – who have been told all their lives what to wear, what to believe, and who they were free to associate with. Many today are still working through the damage years later.’ #### **Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:** > ‘Every child, whatever their background and wherever they’re sent to school, should have the freedom to decide for themselves what they believe is true about the world, including about religion. No child should be made to adhere to religious dress codes by their school. > > ‘No child should be forced to participate in religious activities against their will, whether that’s being forced to wear a religious headscarf or participate in prayer or acts of worship in school assemblies.’ sign our petition Join Humanists UK in calling for all schools to provide an inclusive, evidence-based education — not indoctrination [ADD YOUR NAME](https://humanists.uk/action/end-evangelism-in-education/) #### Notes For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only). Read more about our work on [freedom of choice](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/freedom-of-choice/) and [freedom of thought](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/freedom-of-thought/). Read more about our work on [children’s rights](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/childrens-rights/). Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.