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The cornrow row

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04 August 2011 / Sarah Watson
Issue: 7477 / Categories: Features , Public , Discrimination
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Sarah Watson assesses the lawfulness of a school’s ban on cornrows

In G (by his litigation friend) v The Head Teacher and Governors of St Gregory’s Catholic Science College [2011] EWHC 1452 (Admin), [2011] All ER (D) 113 (Jun), the High Court considered the lawfulness of a school’s ban on boys wearing cornrows (hair braids), which the claimant (“G”) contended was discriminatory on grounds of race and sex. The school’s policy was considered under the Equality Act 2010. The relevant sections were stated to be no different in their substantive effect from the previous related sections of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Background facts

G is of African-Caribbean ethnicity. In accordance with his family tradition he has never cut his hair and it is kept in cornrows. G was due to commence his secondary education at St Gregory’s Catholic Science College (“the school”) in September 2009. The school’s uniform and appearance policy required boys to have a “short back and sides” haircut. Girls were permitted

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