A school’s refusal to allow a 15-year-old Muslim girl to wear traditional religious dress broke both UK and European laws, the High Court has heard.Shabina Begum has not attended school since September 2002 when she was sent home for wearing a jilbab – a long, flowing gown.Her lawyers argued that the ban by Denbigh High School in Luton was “a denial of her right to education and right to manifest her religious beliefs”.

The 15-year-old was dressed in a blue jilbab as her solicitor Yvonne Spencer argued that the school’s refusal amounted to “constructive exclusion”.

She said it breached both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

She added: “Her access to education was frustrated. It became impossible for her to enter the school unless she breached her religious beliefs.”

The comprehensive school maintains it has a flexible uniform policy and is not acting in a discriminatory manner.

Almost 80% of its 1,000 pupils are Muslim and can wear trousers, skirts or a shalwar kameez, consisting of trousers and a tunic.

Although not officially excluded, Shabina’s lawyers argue she has effectively been prevented from attending the school.

She used to wear a shalwar kameez to school but changed to a jilbab on religious grounds.

The ankle-length jilbab covers everything apart from the wearer’s hands and face.