Aishah Azmi, 24, was suspended on full pay after staff at Headfield Church of England junior school in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said pupils found it harder to understand her.

A Leeds employment tribunal dismissed three of Mrs Azmi's claims of discrimination and harassment, but found that she was victimised and awarded her £1,000 for "injury to feelings".

A month later, the local education authority sacked her from her post as a bilingual support worker.

Mrs Azmi, of Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury, said she was willing to remove her veil in front of children but not when male colleagues were present.

Her lawyer Nick Whittingham said: "The EAT (Employment Appeal Tribunal) has not upheld the appeal."

A spokeswoman for Kirklees Council said: "Kirklees Council and the school were disappointed that Mrs Azmi and her representatives decided to pursue an appeal to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

"The decision from the employment tribunal in Leeds was a fair, considered and appropriate judgment and the council is satisfied that the Employment Appeals Tribunal has supported that approach, and that ruling."

Labour MP Shahid Malik, who represents Mrs Azmi's home town of Dewsbury, said the original tribunal decision was a "victory for common sense" as was the latest ruling.

He said he hoped the ruling would set a clear precedent for future situations and that Mrs Azmi would let the matter rest and not pursue any further legal avenues.