Jiljab Case Headteacher Becomes A Dame
The New Year Honours list unveils accolades for headteachers who have demonstrated effective leadership in disadvantaged areas. One such individual is Yasmin Bevan, the head of Denbigh high school in Luton, who is awarded the title of Dame thanks to her outstanding leadership qualities. The recognition comes after a sustained legal battle regarding the school’s stance on Islamic dress, which ultimately saw Ms Bevan vindicated.
In the court case, the school was taken to court by a Muslim student named Shabina Begum, who was refused permission to wear a jiljab – a head to toe garment. While Denbigh does permit ethnic clothing, such as the hijab head covering, it did not want to compel pupils into completely covering up. Ms Begum argued that her human right to both religious expression and education had been violated. The court initially found in her favour, but the House of Lords later overturned the decision.
Another headteacher honoured in the list is Keith Ajegbo, who led Deptford Green school in Lewisham, London. The school, situated in a deprived area, applied to become a citizenship specialist college. Ajegbo’s leadership was praised by Ofsted; he was celebrated for his optimism and success in helping pupils gain high GCSE grades.
Four other headteachers received honours of CBE – Susan Barratt from Bourneville junior school in Birmingham, Gerorge Berwick from Ravens Wood school in Bromley, London, Mabel Davis from Heathlands special school in Hertfordshire, and Mary McLaughlin from Notre Dame high school in Glasgow. Additionally, Maurice Smith, the former head of Ofsted, and Peter Wanless, the director of school performance and reform at the Department for Education and Skills, were both recognised as Commanders of the Bath.
