Fathers have been banned from watching their daughters compete at a Jewish secondary school’s sports day.

Yavneh College in Borehamwood has written to parents informing them that “male spectators” are not allowed at the girls’ section of sports day, which is taking place on Monday.

“I disagree with this strongly,” said one mother, who asked not to be named. “It’s done for religious reasons but it’s completely over the top. My daughter is very disappointed that her dad won’t be able to watch her compete.”

Yavneh governors’ chairman Malcolm Gordon said that it was common practice for secondary schools not to invite parents to sports day, because girls in particular were often self-conscious about competing in front of a mixed crowd.

“Some of our girls, both from observant and non-observant families, have expressed reluctance at participating in sporting activities whilst being observed by other fathers.”