A mother was told she could not attend a school parents evening because she was wearing a veil.

The 34 year-old woman who does not wish to be named claims she has taken the issue up with the school but she has been told she must remove her veil whenever she enters the school on ‘health, safety and security grounds'.

Speaking exclusivley to Asian Image she said, “If I had been told this was their intended policy then maybe I would not have considered asking my son to go to the school in the first place.

"The whole situation has upset me and I don’t like going to the school any more because I always leave crying. ”

However, the school which has been commended for racial harmony and community cohesion says it is simply enforcing a regulation which requires all people to be identifiable “especially if they are wearing crash helmets or hoodies.” And that the woman was the first to come to a parents evening wearing a full veil so the situation was new to them.

Governors discussed the issues around security and formulated a policy to clarify their position.

The woman, who is also a former pupil of the school, said the policy was not in force before she enrolled her son at the school, neither was it in the school prospectus.

She said the problem started in 2007 at Our Lady and St Johns Roman Catholic School in Blackburn. Since then the woman said she has been asked to remove her veil before she can step into the school.

“I attended the school on two open evenings and got a tour around the building and no-one mentioned anything to me about this policy.” she said “I was aware the school was Roman Catholic but that did not make any difference to me and our husband because we wanted our son to learn about all cultures and religions.

“But then in September 2007 when I attended a parents evening I got told I could not go into the main hall because I was wearing a veil.

“I explained that I was willing to take the veil off in front of the female teachers but not the male teachers.

“A year later the same thing happened when I went to drop my son off at the school. Then this week at a parents evening I signed myself in, and saw two teachers in the Library as I was not allowed in the main hall. Then I got asked by a senior member of staff ‘whether I was aware of the school’s policy on identification’.”

The woman said she had been to see the council and Jack Straw MP but has been told the Roman Catholic school’s policy states that all faces must be revealed at the entrance.

“I can understand that people should be identified but I am just a normal person trying to lead a normal life. Why should how I dress make a difference?

"I think the most common sense thing to do is if I was to show my face at reception.

"When I go to passport control I simply show my face and go through.

“My son enjoys going to the school and has settled in and I am now in a strange situation where I can’t see how he is progressing or even go to drop him off inside.

"I am not being reasonable but just want somebudy to use common sense."

Headteacher Mrs Gillen said, “Although a high percentage of our pupils are of Asian Heritage pupils she was the first lady to come to parents evening wearing a full veil.

“We explained our concerns and I offered to bring the staff to her in my office so that she could talk about her son’s progress.

“I explained that this was a new situation for us and that I would welcome an opportunity to discuss with her how we would address this at a later date.

“She agreed initially and met with a member of staff. However, her husband arrived and was not happy with this arrangement so they left.

“I subsequently sent a full written report home. Governors discussed the issues around security and formulated a policy to clarify our position. This has been widely publicised and she was sent a copy as soon as it had been endorsed.”

The school’s contribution to community cohesion and care, guidance and security was rated by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’.

Mrs Gillen continued, “It is very important that staff have the opportunity to discuss a child’s progress with his or her parents and of course it is equally important that parents are able to meet with staff.

“I have made it quite clear that I will arrange for her to meet with staff on a one to one in my office. This means that neither position would be compromised.

“Whilst this would be acceptable on a one to one basis as offered. The difficulty would be if a number of ladies wearing veils were free to wander corridors or rooms. It would not be feasible to monitor who is who. All policies and procedures have to attempt to cater for every eventuality.”

Anjum Anwar, Chair of Woman’s Voice said, “Women’s Voice was approached by this young lady last year, and after meeting with the Head teacher and representative of the school's Governing body, we had hoped that the situation would have been resolved.

“Women’s Voice is saddened to hear that this young lady is still not been given access to participate in her child's education because of her faith.”