Katharine Birbalsingh – the head teacher of Michaela Community School.

There are other ways of teaching British values. I don't know any school where the national anthem and Jerusalem are sung routinely.

Joseann

I'm interested in this. Are we all necessarily a product of our own education though? Growstuff said earlier that Birbalsingh might not be. I know I am poles apart from mine.
Maybe what I am saying is, that KB is even more passionate about her school because she wants to make change?

I was a rebel at school, but I have to admit that I am a product of my education, which was uncompromisingly academic and liberal. I wanted the same for my own children, which I found - in a state comprehensive.

When I started teaching, I found it quite difficult at first to accept that not all pupils and parents felt the same, but I persevered and reckon I have a pretty understanding of the different aims people have.

My issue with Michaela (and why I would never have sent my own children there) is that there is almost no curriculum choice. Birbalsingh has a very rigid opinion of what a curriculum should be like and it's her way or nothing. The emphasis on the basics and subjects needed for Progress 8 mean that the school's results look exemplary in league tables.

It’s a problem because some Muslim pupils are being intimidated. Not all Muslims are praying 5 times a day. Not all Christians are devoutly following the religion. Same with Jews, Hindus, Sikhs etc.

The pupil in question was suspended from the school for 5 days last year for, allegedly, threatening to stab another pupil.
Court documents referred to a behaviour record for the pupil, which stated, "........was speaking negatively about the school and her plans to 'destroy' it and said it would involve fewer pupils than last time".

Perhaps a prayer room is required to pray for forgiveness !

My childrens’ large - and excellent - comprehensive school also had a room set aside for prayer and/or quiet contemplation. I can’t remember the actual name of the room but I always thought it was a lovely idea and they told me that it was well used by many pupils. I have no religion - neither do my children - but they went to a C of E primary (tiny village school with less than 50 pupils) where they learnt about, and learned to respect - all religions.

Yes, maybe by curtailing the curriculum Birbalsingh is deliberately playing down those subjects she considers to be of less importance or of less value? I've had a few similar discussions with parents in my time who set little store by the teaching of Art and Drama, and wanted the lessons curtailed. (This at primary level where the children are at their most creative!!).

Above was in reply to growstuff @ 13.28.

Haven't read any of the articles about this issue but have noticed something about teachers having been threatened. Info I have read about this head teacher in the past has made me think that she's a very sensible down to earth person with strong values so I don't expect her decision was made without good reason.

I've often pondered on the requirements of schools to teach British Values. It would be interesting to see if we were asked, whether GNetters would be in agreement as to these.
How might they differ from, for example, French Values, or Danish Values, or?

Teenagers will always push the boundaries and this one pushed too far imo, aided and abetted by parents and others with an agenda, threats and violence.

If she wins the case, which I fear she will, it will prove that violence, threats and intimation is the way to win.

In a multicultural school, a prayer room would need to have a member of staff on duty at all times as some pupils could be intimidated and bullied by others, as has already been the case.

intimation intimidation

I was brought up in Glasgow in a catholic family. My kids went to Catholic primary and secondary school. Wasn't a discussion but an assumption. When I moved to NL, the responsibility for my youngest child's religious education, rested solely on my shoulders. I firmly believe that there should be a separation of state and church. Parents should be responsible for the religious education of their children, not the state.

I firmly believe that there should be a separation of state and church
It is only in England that there is an Established Church, ie the Church of England, Anglican Christian.

We send children to school to be educated. Religion / manners etc etc should be taught at home. If they want faith education, then pay the money and send to schools that facilitate their needs.

As a former school chaplain(Presbyterian Christian )in a state school I couldn't disagree more OP

As a certain religion is more repressive than others wouldn't it be better to again leave religion out of education completely?

And as Britain has been a Christian country why shouldn't there be traditions that aline with Christian values?

I am not Christian but prefer this outlook to the more repressed religions. Just the way Muslims make women second class citizens mean they should not be given any more power or influence as how long before we are pushed back in our boxes ? They will make the 1950's look tame !!

If this admirable Head teacher is getting so much harassment things look rocky for the future unless we stand strong against any religions getting more powers.

GrauntyHelen

As a former school chaplain(Presbyterian Christian )in a state school I couldn't disagree more OP

And I'm sorry, but I disagree with you GrauntyHelen.

Presumably you were chaplain in a private school aligned to a particular faith.

With all the problems being caused by religion in schools, perhaps it is something best left to families and not school, apart from being taught in an objective way.

Sorry, you said State school.

Was it a multi-cultural school? How did that work?

Some religious myths are so daft that teachers have to overcome the indoctrination before the pupil is educable in Enlghtenment values.

If parents have a true faith it is not up to schools to try to teach children that it is all myths.

A school can respect and be aware of different cultures and religions without religion or prayer being any part of the daily school routine. It should not be up to teachers to encourage or discourage any religion.

She’s absolutely right. They can pray in their own time at home , not in school time. For heavens sake ! Who do they think they are?!?!

Callistemon, while I agree with you I am posting to say that 'myth' means something more important than a untrue story.

One of the hardest myths for a teacher to overcome (which may still be being taught )is that some supernatural story is historically true. Such myths are grand metaphors and as metaphors they are not necessarily untrue.

Callistemon21

Teenagers will always push the boundaries and this one pushed too far imo, aided and abetted by parents and others with an agenda, threats and violence.

If she wins the case, which I fear she will, it will prove that violence, threats and intimation is the way to win.

In a multicultural school, a prayer room would need to have a member of staff on duty at all times as some pupils could be intimidated and bullied by others, as has already been the case.

No, a faith room doesn't need a member of staff on duty all day. It could be for a short time during the lunch break, which would satisfy the religious requirement for Muslims to pray just after lunch. Schools have staff on duty during breaks anyway, so pragmatically all it would need is for one member of staff to be on duty either in or just outside the faith room.

Callistemon21

If parents have a true faith it is not up to schools to try to teach children that it is all myths.

A school can respect and be aware of different cultures and religions without religion or prayer being any part of the daily school routine. It should not be up to teachers to encourage or discourage any religion.

I agree with you. As I've written before, I personally think that religion should have no part of the school curriculum. However, if parents and their children are believers (and it's not up to me to judge whether they are), they should be allowed to follow their faith. As I'm sure people are aware, Islam requires followers to pray five times a day at set times, one of those being just after lunch/early afternoon. It really shouldn't be disruptive to learning to accommodate that.

Dillonsgranma

She’s absolutely right. They can pray in their own time at home , not in school time. For heavens sake ! Who do they think they are?!?!

No, they can't if they follow their faith. One of the five pillars of Islam is to pray five times a day at set times.