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A Muslim free school in Derby has said it will support female staff who do not want to wear head coverings.It follows a letter warning the Al-Madinah School it faced closure unless discrimination against female staff and pupils stops.Education Minister Lord Nash laid out 17 issues for the school to consider, which included an end to "unacceptable" teaching standards.The letter said if steps were not taken by Tuesday, funding would be pulled.Parent-governor Abdullah Shahjan told BBC Radio Derby: "We are amending policies to make sure we support staff, who if for their cultural, ethical, or faith do not wish to cover their hair."Another governor Fasal Hussain said: "We are very open, very flexible."However, with regard to Lard Nash's letter and female staff wearing head scarves he added: "We would have appreciated some consultation. We have never received any complaints from our staff."Discrimination problemsIn the letter, Lord Nash wrote: "The trust has manifestly breached the conditions of its funding agreement by: Failing to ensure the safety of children at the school Delivering an unacceptably poor standard of education Discriminating in its policies and procedures towards female staff Failing to discharge its duties and responsibilities in respect of the governing body"I will not tolerate breaches of the commitments you gave when entering into the funding agreement," he added.He has urged the school's trust to take five "urgent steps" by 15 October, including providing written confirmation that "you have ceased any practices and procedures that have as their reason, cause or effect that women and girls are treated less favourably than men and boys".The school has been given a deadline of 22 October to address nine further action points and must provide a plan setting out a clear management structure by the start of November.
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Topic: Al-Madinah Muslim free school: Policy review on head coverings (Read 718 times)
