Kelly refuses to step into school uniform row

Education Secretary Ruth Kelly today refused to intervene to save the school uniform after a landmark legal case.

She said it was up to schools to sort out their own policies but warned them to heed the laws on human rights and sex or race discrimination.

Her comments came after 16-year-old Muslim Shabina Begum won the right to wear a head-to-toe jilbab to her Luton school.

Teaching experts and lawyers warned the case would lead to more legal challenges from Muslim parents demanding their children wear religious apparel.

Ms Kelly told Radio 4: "I don't think this is a case of forget the school uniform." But as to how schools should tackle the issue, she would only say governors should consult parents and show "common sense".