The bangle at the centre of Sarika Watkins-Singh's case may be smaller than a watchstrap, but head teachers will fear confrontations over much more ostentatious religious symbols.

While the ruling will not set a legal precedent, it may encourage Muslim challenges over the veil and perhaps disputes over Christian symbols such as the crucifix. Even while the case was pending, a 15-year-old girl was suspended from a Roman Catholic school in Northern Ireland for refusing to remove guardian angel and St Patrick lapel badges.

Aberdare Girls' School, which excluded Sarika for refusing to remove her kara, may seek leave to appeal. In the meantime, confusion will reign and those seeking to make a religious point may be tempted to push the boundaries.

Many head teachers and school governors will be reluctant to give ground. Uniform policy is set school by school, but recent trends have been towards more prescription, rather than less. Increasingly the blazer is replacing the sweatshirt and jewellery is being outlawed, with the support of both main political parties.

Mr Justice Silber emphasised that the Watkins-Singh case was not about jewellery, but religious rights. His ruling will not pave the way for cases about body piercing - or even other bangles.

However, head teachers would probably welcome an appeal to clarify the inconsistencies in case law. Previous rulings supported a school that banned the Muslim veil but upheld Sikhs' right to wear turbans.

Most schools hope for compromise over less conspicuous symbols, such as the kara. But when positions become entrenched, an apparently minor dispute can become an expensive cause célèbre.

In yesterday's case, the school had offered to allow the kara, so long as it was not visible. Sarika had offered to remove it for gym and metalwork. Yet the case went all the way to the High Court.

Virendra Sharma, the Labour MP for Ealing Southall, has called for guidance to be issued to schools to ensure that they do not infringe pupils' religious or human rights. But ministers will be reluctant to be dragged into such politically dangerous territory.

Unless there is an appeal, schools will have to find a balance between religious tolerance and their own determination to encourage a sense of community. In some areas, they will also be conscious of the need to reduce peer pressure on pupils.

Head teachers will be relieved that the judgment came at the start of the summer holiday, allowing time for passions to cool.

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