Nearly 20% of primary schools in 11 regions of England include the hijab in their uniform policy

Thousands of state primary schools are allowing girls as young as five to wear the Muslim religious headscarf as part of approved school uniform, a Sunday Times survey has revealed.

The rise of the classroom hijab has alarmed female Muslim campaigners, church leaders and academics. They say it is divisive, sexualises young girls because it is traditionally not worn until puberty, and should be “fiercely resisted”.

Ofsted, the schools watchdog, said there was “growing concern” about the trend. Inspectors are investigating whether head teachers have come under pressure from parents or religious leaders to change uniform regulations.

A senior Ofsted source said: “While it is for schools to determine their uniform rules in accordance with the law, there is growing concern about the hijab appearing