Schools should be free to ban Muslim girls from wearing face veils during lessons, the head of the education watchdog has said.
Ofsted inspectors have found the coverings are causing communication problems in the classroom on occasion, according to Sir Michael Wilshaw.
It comes after David Cameron said he would back institutions that have "sensible rules" over Muslims wearing full-face veils.
Asked if he would back banning veils in schools, Sir Michael told BBC 2's Newsnight: "Yes, I would. The Prime Minister's view that we have got to make sure that our liberal values, our liberal West values are protected, people need to listen to that.
"The Muslim community needs to listen to it as well. We have come a long way in our society to ensure that we have equality for women and that they are treated fairly. We mustn't go backwards."
Sir Michael said he backed individual schools choosing to stop Muslim girls wearing the veil, "particularly if it is stopping good communication in the classroom and in the lecture hall".
He told the programme that the veil was "possibly" stopping teachers and pupils communicating well.
"My inspectors say on occasions they go into classrooms where they see there are problems about communications," he said.
Mr Cameron has ruled out the idea of imposing a French-style ban on full-face veils in public as part of a drive to build community integration and counter extremism.
"In our country people should be free to wear what they like," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday.
But the Prime Minister insisted he would support institutions that needed to "see someone's face".
He said: "When you are coming into contact either with different institutions or, for instance, you are in court or you need to see someone's face at the border then I would always back the authorities or the institutions that have put in place proper and sensible rules.
"Going for the French approach of banning an item of clothing, I do not think that's the way we do things in this country and I do not think that would help."
