Ofsted to question schoolgirls over why they wear a hijab

Primary schoolchildren wearing hijabs to lessons will be questioned by Ofsted inspectors to check they are not being forced to do so.

Pupils as young as four will be interviewed by officials with their reasons included in school reports.

It comes amid concern hijabs could be seen to be sexualising young children, as they are typically worn when girls reach puberty as a sign of modesty.

It is the first time hijabs have been challenged in state schools and will ensure they are not breaching equality laws by requiring only girls wear religious garments, Amanda Spielman chief inspector of schools said.

A Sunday Times survey previously found that one fifth of 800 primary schools now list the hijab in their uniform policy. But campaigner Aisha Ali-khan said Ofsted was “misguided” in its approach and questioned why it wasn’t holding schools to account for changing uniform policies to include hijabs.