New School for Bangle Row Pupil

September 2, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/7593286.stm

A Sikh teenager who won a High Court battle against her school after she was banned from wearing a religious bangle will not return there this term.

Sarika Watkins-Singh, 14, from Cwmbach, south Wales, was excluded from Aberdare Girls' School, last November after she refused to stop wearing the kara.

But London's High Court ruled it broke race and equality laws by barring her for breaking its no jewellery rules.

The school agreed to re-admit her but her mother said she will not return.

Sinita Singh said Sarika would instead be taught at nearby Mountain Ash Comprehensive School.

She studied there after her exclusion - and was allowed to wear the kara, a slim steel bracelet worn by many Sikhs as a sign of their identity and faith.

Mrs Singh said the family was disappointed Aberdare Girls' School had not contacted them since the court case.