Katharine Birbalsingh – the head teacher of Michaela Community School.

Joseann

Good post * Dickens*.
Accusations against KB of discrimination or Islamophobia or prejudice are really not helpful.
I think this Headmistress deserves admiration.

The whole point is that she is totally without prejudice and the ethos of the school is equality, tolerance and kindness for all.

I don't know. I am not a religious person. But if a child came to me asking for permission or a space to pray I would consider very carefully how that could reasonably be accommodated. Being secular can for some people become a matter of domination and discrimination. After all isn't that what communism did in Russia? The idea that people can just be made to surrender their religion at the door of a school just doesn't work. It's about finding ways of managing that so all people feel valued whatever their faith or lack of it.

^ But if a child came to me asking for permission or a space to pray I would consider very carefully how that could reasonably be accommodated.^

With respect I think you’re missing the point here Glorianny.
This pupil was enrolled at this academically high-achieving school when her parents knew at the time what the rules of the school were! They wanted their daughter to attend. Now? They think they can hijack the very ethos of said school.

As I said upthread, this is a Trojan horse scenario.

As I said upthread, this is a Trojan horse scenario

I must have missed that analogy, Urmstongran but yes, very apt.
Infiltrate and destroy from within.

Callistemon21

^As I said upthread, this is a Trojan horse scenario^

I must have missed that analogy, Urmstongran but yes, very apt.
Infiltrate and destroy from within.

OMG if that isn't Islamophobia I don't know what is!!!

No, it is not. Your really are out of order Glorianny

It means joining an institution in order to destroy it.
So many other pupils, who are Muslim, have done well at this school until the latest bullying and disruption

I shall report your comment.

Thank you Calli for understanding correctly what my analogy is.

I've reported Glorianny's comment as an attack.

It's strange, I asked a Muslim friend whose granddaughters are at another school here in the UK and she thinks what is happening is dreadful and giving moderate Muslims a bad name.

Callistemon21

No, it is not. Your really are out of order Glorianny

It means joining an institution in order to destroy it.
So many other pupils, who are Muslim, have done well at this school until the latest bullying and disruption

I shall report your comment.

Saying a Muslim who wants to pray is the equivalent of the Greek soldiers who invaded Troy. Is implying things which you have no evidence of.
1. That there is some sort of organised campaign behind her request.
2. That there is some sort of battle going on between Muslims and the school
3. That Muslims were using underhand tactics to achieve dominance .
As you have said not all Muslims agree about what has happened. So you are actually admitting that the Trojan Horse analogy is not only inaccurate but offensive.

I agree with you, They come to our country for a better life but then start to turn our country into the one they have left and the powers that be are allowing it. We are a Christian country so why do Muslims want to come here and force their religion on us.

Glorianny don't you know what this thread is about?? Have you not read the reports about it?

This thread is about the court action.

Callistemon21

Glorianny don't you know what this thread is about?? Have you not read the reports about it?

This thread is about the court action.

So if I take an organisation to court because I consider they are infringing my human rights I must be part of a Trojan Horse???

WonderfulLife

I agree with you, They come to our country for a better life but then start to turn our country into the one they have left and the powers that be are allowing it. We are a Christian country so why do Muslims want to come here and force their religion on us.

No, I don't agree with your post at all WinderfulLife

They, as you call people, are born here, British citizens, some my friends.

No-one I know would have taken this action.
The school has educated girls of all faiths happily and without controversy until now.

There are, however, a few people with extremist views who do want to force their views in others which is wrong.

There are, however, a few people with extremist views who do want to force their views on others which is wrong

And it is often evident on Gransnet too.

Do stop twisting posts, Glorianny

I know you like to do this on every thread you're on but your interpretation of others' posts owes more to imagination than fact.
It must give you a sense of satisfaction and triumph for some reason.

Callistemon21

Do stop twisting posts, Glorianny

I know you like to do this on every thread you're on but your interpretation of others' posts owes more to imagination than fact.
It must give you a sense of satisfaction and triumph for some reason.

Sorry how am I "twisting facts"?
I've told you what a Trojan Horse implies.
Either you don't understand that it means infiltrating an enemy to gain victory by nefarious means, or you think that's what was happening. I don't know which.

Do carry on (and on and on) by all means but I think most posters know your modus operandi on so many threads after all these years.

🙂

I’ll be interested to see the time scale between the parents signing their agreement to the school’s terms and conditions and the decision to complain about having to abide by them.

They’ll probably have to explain the complete about turn as well - interesting times eh?

It's the bullying and coercion of other pupils and teachers and the threats of violence which are most worrying, backed up by the parents of this child.

Can anyone offer an explanation as to how and why this matter has attracted Legal Aid? My understanding is that this is available, and very limited, only to criminal proceedings. There are no crimes here, this is purely a civil case.

It has been reported in the Telegraph today that the girl bringing this action was suspended last year for five days for allegedly threatening to stab another pupil. She accepted she had said to the pupil 'if you tell anyone I will stab you' but refused to say what she had said to the pupil before making the threat. (According to the school and the school's lawyers.)
Court documents referred to the behaviour record which stated the girl, known as TTT, was speaking negatively about the school and her plans to 'destroy it'.

How has this action, expected to run into thousands of pounds, received legal aid?

Glorianny

Callistemon21
Do stop twisting posts, Glorianny

^I know you like to do this on every thread you're on but your interpretation of others' posts owes more to imagination than fact.
It must give you a sense of satisfaction and triumph for some reason.^
Sorry how am I "twisting facts"?
I've told you what a Trojan Horse implies.
Either you don't understand that it means infiltrating an enemy to gain victory by nefarious means, or you think that's what was happening. I don't know which.

Callistemon21

Do carry on (and on and on) by all means but I think most posters know your modus operandi on so many threads after all these years.

Well put Callistemon21, but you’re wasting your breath. Glorian y will go on and on on twisting things.
I don’t have a problem with you Glorian y, you just do.

Callistemon21

Do carry on (and on and on) by all means but I think most posters know your modus operandi on so many threads after all these years.

🙂

This "You are just twisting what `I say" attitude is pathetic. Explain to me how a girl asking for a place to pray, being refused and told not to pray and then taking court action is in anyway related to the Trojan Horse which was used by Greek soldiers to infiltrate the city of Troy and destroy it.
Otherwise accept in this instance you have made a huge mistake.

Glorianny

Callistemon21

Do carry on (and on and on) by all means but I think most posters know your modus operandi on so many threads after all these years.

🙂

This "You are just twisting what `I say" attitude is pathetic. Explain to me how a girl asking for a place to pray, being refused and told not to pray and then taking court action is in anyway related to the Trojan Horse which was used by Greek soldiers to infiltrate the city of Troy and destroy it.
Otherwise accept in this instance you have made a huge mistake.

Sorry you are wrong in this instance.

The school has an enrolment form, with a comprehensive list of what is and is not available at this excellent school.

The child (TTT) and her parents signed the form on enrolment.

The child (TTT) has been temporarily suspended for threatening behaviour, has vowed to damage the school (in court papers so not supposition) , and is now trying to change the rules from within, which is one definition of a Trojan horse.

The statement of intent to destroy the school betrays something beyond just wanting a place to pray. Organise a room for this girl and when however many of the remaining 600+ pupils decide they too are special enough to need somewhere to go and do their particular ritual, what happens then? The Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews etc would all have equal claims to be fulfilled. Atheists and agnostics might need somewhere to meditate in peace. The whole school ethos of unity not division is then challenged.

GrannyGravy13 is absolutely correct that one modern meaning is to subvert from within. No need to go all the way back to ancient Greece.