Muslim mother sues school dubbed 'the socialist Eton' for banning her from wearing face veil on its premises

• Rachida Serroukh, 37, was told about policy by staff at Holland Park School
• Single mother-of-three's 11-year-old daughter will be starting there in autumn
• She was told everybody must be identified on site for health and safety reasons 
• Mother said: 'I was very shaken and in a state of shock about what had happened'

A Muslim mother is suing a top London school dubbed the 'socialist Eton' after it allegedly banned her from wearing her face veil on its premises.

Rachida Serroukh, 37, said she was left upset after being told about the policy at an evening for parents of new pupils at Holland Park School in West London.

The single mother-of-three, whose 11-year-old daughter will be starting there this autumn, was told everybody must be identified on site for health and safety reasons.

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The Muslim mother is taking legal action against Holland Park School (above) in West London

Ms Serroukh, who is a devout Muslim and has worn a veil for 14 years, has now launched a discrimination test case against the school, reported The Guardian.

The childcare assistant was approached by a staff member after listening to a talk by the headmaster in June and was told she could not wear a face veil on site.

She told Guardian reporter Diane Taylor: 'I was very shaken and was in a state of shock about what had happened. I had never experienced anything like this before.

'I have experienced name calling in the street from strangers about my veil but nothing like this had ever happened before. When I got home, I just broke down.'

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The school says face veils are banned so that everybody is identified on site (file picture)

She added that she always lifts her veil and shows her photo identification when asked for security reasons and had 'no problem' from security at the school gate.

Ms Serroukh wrote to the school for clarification, and deputy headmaster Ross Wilson replied to her in email saying it did not have a written policy on the veil.

But he added that, following her concerns, 'we are now considering a written amendment to our health and safety policy to include this specific requirement'.

The flagship academy, which is praised in Tatler's top 20 state secondary schools guide, has been contacted for comment by MailOnline today.