Six-year-old pupils at Ribble Drive primary school in Bury, Greater Manchester, were pictured wearing hijabs and abayas following a religious education lesson, leading to parental outrage and a formal inquiry.
The incident occurred approximately two weeks ago when photos of 14 children in Islamic dress were shared on the school's internal system as part of a collage that also featured the children's book "The Proudest Blue." The book focuses on a young girl embracing her hijab.
Dr. Shadman Zaman, a local councilor, reported that six parents had shared their concerns with him, fearing repercussions for speaking out. He expressed shock at the suggestion that children had been encouraged to wear the religious clothing, urging the school to reflect on the appropriateness of such activities for young children.
Headteacher Melanie Kobak, however, stated that the school would "categorically refute" any claim that children were forced to wear the hijab. She explained that some pupils had asked to try on the garment and were permitted to do so. Kobak also condemned the sharing of any pupil images outside the school's secure messaging system.
Despite the headteacher's statement, Dr. Zaman lodged a complaint with the school on October 16, questioning the practice. One guardian described the situation as "disgusted and fed up" with being labeled racist for objecting to the hijab, arguing that six-year-olds were unable to truly consent to wearing such attire.
Bury Council's director of education and skills, Ben Dunne, later informed Dr. Zaman that "no children" were asked or instructed to wear religious dress. Dunne clarified that a teacher brought a hijab to show the children as part of an age-appropriate lesson, and a child subsequently asked to try it on, with others following suit upon request. He confirmed that no child was pressured or instructed to wear the hijab and that only those who requested it participated.
Dunne also acknowledged that the sharing of the photograph outside the school's platform was a concern, despite the school using a secure system. He noted that schools are not obligated to share religious education lesson content with parents in advance.
Dr. Zaman, while affirming the value of learning about Islam and other faiths, stated that for many women, the hijab is a symbol of oppression, not choice. He drew a parallel to his own Muslim mother, who prays five times a day and advocates for women's rights but has never worn a hijab.
In response to Zaman's further concerns, Kobak reiterated that the incident was a normal Key Stage One Religious Education lesson, conducted in line with Bury's Agreed Syllabus. She emphasized that teaching about religious traditions is not about promoting adherence to a faith but fostering understanding and respect for diverse beliefs, which she described as fundamental British values. The school expressed disappointment that an image was taken from their private platform and circulated publicly, potentially compromising the privacy of young children. The Local Authority's subsequent inquiry confirmed the school's account and compliance with requirements.