A mum has claimed her daughter's school banned the child from the playground and canteen because of her braided hair. But the Catholic school responded to a viral tweet from mother Jade Samuels to insist braids were allowed.
It issued a statement after Ms Samuels's tweet attracted reaction from thousands of social media users. She tweeted: "My child is banned from the school playground/canteen for her hair, its neatly-braided in a natural colour. I gave them a lesson on the history of black women's hairs cultural significance of braiding, they chose violence."
The mum added: "Just for clarity, the issue the school has is with the heart, as if that makes it any less bad," reports Birmingham Live.
In response, the school said: "Bishop Challoner Catholic College is very clear that braids are allowed to be worn in school. If parents/carers have any issues, there are clear procedures in place which they can follow for their concerns to be addressed."
Bishop Challoner Catholic College was rated 'good' by Ofsted in 2016. Speaking before the school issued its statement, Labour councillor Lisa Trickett, who represents Brandwood and Kings Heath in Birmingham, said it was important that schools respected pupils' identities.
She said: "Cornrows play a part in a child's racial and cultural identity. It is absolutely given we are now a minority-majority city and that we are utterly respectful of that."
Last year the Equality and Human Rights Commission - Britain's equality watchdog - warned schools not to penalise or exclude pupils for wearing their hair in natural afro styles, including cornrows and braids. The commission warned afro-textured hair or hairstyles were disproportionately affected by discrimination.
Jackie Killeen, the EHRC chief regulator, previously said she wanted to stop pupils "being unfairly" singled out for their appearance in schools. She said: "Every child deserves to be celebrated for who they are and to thrive in school without having to worry about changing their appearance to suit a potentially discriminatory policy."
The EHRC has previously funded legal action in cases of alleged hair discrimination. In 2020, Ruby Williams won £8,500 in an out-of-court settlement against the Urswick school in Hackney, east London, after she was repeatedly sent home because of her afro hair. The school did not accept any liability.
