A MUM said she is willing to move her daughter after a Burnley school announced plans to introduce a uniform headscarf for girls.

Sir John Thursby Community College in Eastern Avenue introduced the new covering after concerns were raised by some students, parents and staff about headscarves ‘not being worn correctly’.

But some students and parents raised concerns that the coverings were uncomfortable, unattractive and not sufficiently modest.

Following complaints from parents, headteacher David Burton said the school has now set up a working party which will include parents, students, staff and governors who will meet this week.

Parent Mariyan Raja, 36, from Burnley, who set up a petition protesting against the changes, said her first petition which gained 2,940 signatures, was taken down.

She claims her daughter Amina, 13, came home from school in hysterics after being given the choice of taking her headscarf off altogether or wearing the uniform one - something which was disputed by school bosses.

“The next day she refused to go to school,” she said. “I don’t think the school knew what they were doing. Mistakes have been made and I am glad they are now starting from scratch.

“This is a piece of clothing they know nothing about and they have done no research.

“The girls understand there needs to be a uniform and are happy to have the school logo but this is hideous. It is like something that Darth Vader would wear.

“It is not just about modesty. It does not look good and it is not good for their confidence. It is also too short for the girls who have longer hair. You still want to be comfortable and look nice. It is the level of insensitivity.

“If there is no resolution to this I am thinking about moving her to a different school next year and so are other parents.”

Cllr Lubna Khan, of the Bank Hall ward, said the school had failed to understand the complicated relationship some girls have with their headscarf.

She said: “At this age the girls are trying to find their identity. It is a sensitive issue and the school should be helping with that. The relationship with the headscarf is complicated. It is not so simple."