Pupils should not be stopped from wearing natural Afro styles at school, watchdog rules

Pupils should not be stopped from wearing their hair in natural Afro styles at school, a watchdog has declared.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission stressed uniform policies that ban certain hairstyles without exceptions on racial grounds “are likely to be unlawful”.

This includes natural Afros, braids, cornrows, plaits and head coverings, among other styles, the EHRC said in the resources it has issued today to guide schools in England, Scotland and Wales.

They state: “Hairstyles worn because of cultural, family and social customs can be part of a pupil’s ethnic origin and therefore fall under the protected characteristic of race.”

Jackie Killeen, EHRC’s chief regulator said: “Discrimination based on hair can have serious and long-lasting consequences for victims and their families.”

The Equality Advisory and Support Service has received 50 calls since 2018 reporting potential cases of hair discrimination.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission stressed uniform policies that ban certain hairstyles without exceptions on racial grounds “are likely to be unlawful” (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In 2021 the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Race Equality in Education urged the EHRC to “do more to eradicate Afro hair discrimination” in schools.

Founder L’myah Sherae said: “Schools should be safe and supportive environments for all pupils, and race equality in education should be a priority.

“These new resources are an important step towards ensuring that the next generation of children are better protected.”