Cornrow school ban deemed racist by Judge

A school that banned a Black pupil from wearing his hair in ‘cornrow’ style has had its decision overturned and been found guilty of ‘indirect racism’.

The Roman Catholic school St Gregory’s College refused to allow an 11 year old African-Caribbean student to attend lessons over the hairstyle claiming it was 'unconventional' and contravened its strict dress code.

The boy, known for legal reasons as ‘G’, was barred from entering the school grounds on the first day of term in September 2009. St Gregory’s, in Harrow, North London, told the boy’s mother he could only be allowed to return if he removed the braided hairstyle.

A judge ruled last week that the school’s action was 'unlawful, indirect racial discrimination which is not justified'. The decision is likely to have an impact on other schools with similar policies and will force them to relax their dress codes in relation to other hairstyles.

Mr Justice Collins said in future a school must consider letting other boys wear cornrows if it is 'a genuine family tradition based on cultural and social reasons'. The solicitor for the St Gregory’s student said the ruling was ‘an important decision’.

She said: 'It makes clear that non-religious cultural and family practices associated with a particular race fall within the protection of equalities legislation.'

St Gregory’s claimed it’s situated in an area where there is gun and knife crime and alleged the hairstyle may gang related.

David Wolfe QC, appearing for the family, told the court G, now 13, had always worn his hair in cornrows - which reached to the top of his collar - as part of a family tradition.

A spokesman said the school was 'naturally disappointed' and may appeal the decision.

Speaking to The Voice, ‘G’s mother – who also can’t be named for legal reasons – said:

"I'm happy about the judgment. This is what I came for and is what I got. I'm happy because my son is now at a school where he can retain his cultural identity and it’s not frowned upon. I'm happy that he’s now accepted. I don’t believe he should have ever had to change schools over this or have been excluded over something, which doesn’t affect learning taking place in the classroom. There was nothing outrageous about his appearance or his cornrows.”

Many within African-Caribbean community groups have sided with the boy’s mother saying that the cornrow hairstyle is a cultural norm for both girls and young boys.

They point out that some boys will wear cornrows up to the age of two but that the style can be worn at any age, adding that it does not indicate an association with gangs or delinquency but on the contrary shows that child is being well taken care of.