HEAD teachers will have to tread carefully as they unravel the new school uniform guidelines outlined by Education Secretary Alan Johnson.
For he has said they should be free to ban Muslim veils and other religious dress if they believe it might impede a child's ability to learn or cause safety or security problems.
There can be few situations in which learning would be impeded or safety threatened by religious garb.
Heads must show great sensitivity in this matter for such bans risk causing division at a time when people of goodwill are striving to accept those with different customs.
Schools should be at the forefront of encouraging tolerance.