School Uniforms, Religious Symbols and The Human Rights Act 1998: The 'Purity Ring' Case

9 Pages Posted: 3 Nov 2008

Date Written: March 2008

Abstract

This article comments on the decision of the High Court in R (on the application of Playfoot) v Governing Body of Millais School (The 'purity ring' case) where the Court was asked to rule on whether the schools' governing body decision not to allow Lydia Playfoot to wear a silver ring as a symbol of her commitment to celibacy until marriage constituted a violation of articles 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) and 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The case raises important issues in relation to religious freedom, schools and their duties under the Human Rights Act (HRA). This article seeks to highlight the extent to which the new legislation has led schools to become increasingly involved in religious matters and discusses some of the problems that may be associated with this approach.

Keywords: freedom of religion, human rights act, school uniforms

Suggested Citation

Bacquet, Sylvie, School Uniforms, Religious Symbols and The Human Rights Act 1998: The 'Purity Ring' Case (March 2008). Education Law Journal, 2008 , U. of Westminster School of Law Research Paper No. 08-05, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1294382

Sylvie Bacquet (Contact Author)

University of Westminster ( email )

4 Little Titchfield Street
London, England W1W 7UW
United Kingdom

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