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A 12 year-old boy whose dreadlocks led to him being banned from Fulham Boys School has been told he can return without having to cut his hair after a court case backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission

On his first day at Fulham Boys School in September 2017, Chikayzea Flanders was isolated from his class mates and told that his dreadlocked hair did not comply with the school's uniform and appearance policy and must be cut off.

He was told if he did not cut them off, he faced suspension from the free school, which is currently based in temporary premises on the Gibbs Green Estate in West Kensington, but which plans to move next year to a new permanent home in the centre of Fulham, on the site of the former police station.

His mother, Tuesday Flanders, took the school to court with the backing of the commission, calling the demand an attack on her Rastafarian religion.

The family have now reached an agreement with Fulham Boys School with both sides accepting that the school’s enforcement of its uniform policy and ban on dreadlocks resulted in indirect discrimination.

Chikayzea, who has since moved to Hurlingham Academy in Peterborough Road, is welcome to return the Fulham Boys School "provided that his dreadlocks are tied up so that they do not touch the top of his collar, or covered with a cloth of colour to be agreed by the school".

Ms Flanders said: "As parents we place our trust in schools and teachers to help mould our children's lives through education. But that should never place restrictions on their identity or their ability to express their religious beliefs."

Fulham Boys School head teacher Alun Ebenezer said the school "had dealt with the complaint through our published complaints procedure".

The school's strict uniform and appearance policy "remains in place as it protects the distinctive ethos of the Fulham Boys School," he added. "Nearly 20% of our boys come from private schools and rub shoulders with the 40% of boys from socially deprived backgrounds.

"Our uniform policy means you don't know whose parents earn millions of pounds and who comes from an area with real social deprivation. It shows that only character matters and raises aspiration."

A Governors' Complaints Resolution Committee recommended that the school, which has a 'Christian ethos' should review its uniform and appearance policy against applicable legislation.

The County Court ordered the school to pay Chikayzea and his mother a settlement and cover the litigation costs, following the agreement.

David Isaac, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:"At the heart of this issue is a young boy who is entitled to express his religious beliefs and access an education. We are pleased that the school has acknowledged their failings in this instance and has agreed to revise its policies.

"We funded this case because no child should be prevented from attending their chosen school because of inflexible uniform policies that discriminate against children on the basis of their race or religious beliefs."

 

September 19, 2018