A HEADTEACHER of a prestigious Southampton secondary school has apologised after two schoolgirls were ordered to remove their turbans on the first day of term.

St Anne's Catholic School and Sixth Form head Lyn Bourne said that the decision to refuse them permission to wear the traditional religious headwear was a "misunderstanding".

Today pupils Prasimran Kaur, 11, and Simranjot Kaur, 13, will return to classes proudly wearing their black turbans.

But their furious families are determined to enshrine school rules to ensure no other pupils face what they say are "discriminatory" rules.

Newly enrolled Year Seven pupil Prasimran was told to remove her turban shortly after arriving at the Carlton Road girls school yesterday, while Simranjot said a teacher spotted the returning Year Nine student wearing outside the gates before lessons.

Both refused and the younger girl's family arrived an hour later and took her home in protest.

Simranjot says she was forced to take hers off after staff began unravelling it - something which Sikhs regard as highly disrespectful.

Her mother eventually arrived at noon to take her tearful daughter home.

The headwear is worn by baptised Sikhs of both sexes but are more commonly worn by men.

Both families are upset claiming the school suggested Simranjot's was for "fashion" and their daughters' replace them with headscarves usually worn by Muslim women.

Prasimran's Jaskiran, 18, a former pupil there said: "It's discriminatory. They are a Catholic school and are supposed to support equality. There was a total lack of understanding. We need to change the school's policy."

Simranjot's mother Sukhwinder Kaur, 38, said: "They are in the correct uniform the only thing different is the turban. If Muslims can wear hijabs then why can't Sikhs wear turbans?"

Last night Echo contacted Ms Bourne but she was unavailable for comment before going to press.

But an apology issued to the family yesterday to the Sikh Council UK read: "I would like to apologise to students and parents for any offence caused by our enforcement of our uniform policy this morning. The situation that occurred was a misunderstanding and I can confirm that both girls involved now have permission to wear a turban to school."

"These should be plain navy blue or black until we are able to identify an appropriate supplier.

"St Anne’s is an inclusive school community that respects all faiths. We are united by our shared values and do not allow ourselves to be divided by our differences."

Southampton City Council cabinet member for communities Satvir Kaur, a former headgirl there and a practicing Sikh said: "It hasn't been a great first day back but I'm pleased the situation has been resolved. Southampton has a variety of diverse communities all of which recognise the need to be valued and respected."