Katharine Birbalsingh – the head teacher of Michaela Community School.

Michaela School in Brent is a highly successful Free School which has more control over its ethos (I believe) than state schools. It is run on very similar lines to my Girls' Grammar in the 1960s, no talking in corridors, assigned places at lunchtime and absolutely no wandering about the school unsupervised until in the lower sixth form. It also achieves very high academic results, and parents are made aware when their children join that they must abide by the school's ethos, including strict secularism.
The action has been started by one girl who began praying at lunch time, joined by a few others, then other muslims were pressured to join. A social media campaign was started, teachers were threatened online and physically, the school governors voted 11 to 1 to ban prayer rituals in school time, the pupil sued, hence the court action.
The school accommodation in a former former office block is limited and a separate prayer room is not an option, being against the policy of secularism and also supervision difficulties.

This action against the school is using threats, intimidation and violence in a deliberate attempt to undermine its authority. I would imagine if Katharine Birbalsingh loses the case she will leave the school and move to one of many schools which have tried to poach her, to the detriment of education in Brent.
Threatening staff members because they are following school policy does not say much for the integrity of some of these parents, if indeed they are actually parents rather than just activists. It will be interesting to know who or what is supplying the funding for this court case.

vegansrock

If people on here want to go down the strictly secular route that France has taken there would be no RE in school, no state occasions in a cathedral, certainly the head of state would not be crowned in a religious ceremony and he wouldn’t be head of the Church of England. A lot more would have to go. That would suit me - do away with a monarch and the House of Lords altogether is the logical next step.

It’s true what you say about state schools. However, I worked for many years in a Catholic school (établissement sous contrat). Every week, each class on their chosen day, were split into groups of six children and with a volunteer went to designated room for Catechism for an hour.

The objection was children praying in the playground as they had nowhere else to go, which led to bullying , Islamophobic remarks and coercion by some Muslim pupils for others to join in. If they were given an inside space which could be supervised for those who wished to go in their break time then this would eliminate the problem. This smacks of intolerance for the sake of it.

Galaxy

I think that's a possible too.
With a proviso that charismatic leads (where the focus is on them rather than the organisation) tend to worry me.

me too

Ilovecheese

Surely the problem here is bullying, not praying. Why are schools so bad at tackling bullying? I thought this woman was supposed to be red hot on discipline.

I know, this is what I read too. They need some positive behaviour strategies in place fgs

I so hope the Head wins this

If we are going to ask them to go to "faith based schools" what comes next? Faith based jobs? Faith based holiday destinations? Faith based housing?

Sounds like segregation to me

Children leave the classroom room for all sorts of reasons .. interventions, speech therapy, music lessons, other kinds of therapy, movement breaks....

If a school allows all of that and not time to pray, that is discrimination

Galaxy

I think that's a possible too.
With a proviso that charismatic leads (where the focus is on them rather than the organisation) tend to worry me.

She didn’t seek the limelight. Because of her achievements she was noticed

I am following this thread, but haven't had time to look up the case.
I assumed, wrongly or rightly, the reason for KB banning the prayer room was because it meant children were wandering about the school unsupervised and this led to pupil bullying taking place? Discipline is her big thing, so I can understand from that perspective.
I have worked in schools which have chapels which all faiths could use, but pupils weren't allowed to just meet up in there for whatever reason without the Chaplain being present.

petra

The knives have been out for this amazing inspirational teacher for years. This is just another example.
When this blows over they’ll find something else.
I wonder if these children realise how lucky they are to have her.

You’re quite probably right about that petra, and giving into such demands will simply make parents demand other things.

Where I live is quite multicultural, but the children observe their faith rituals out of school time. E.g. I often see muslim children going to school in the evenings.

I think that's a possible too.
With a proviso that charismatic leads (where the focus is on them rather than the organisation) tend to worry me.

petra

The knives have been out for this amazing inspirational teacher for years. This is just another example.
When this blows over they’ll find something else.
I wonder if these children realise how lucky they are to have her.

I think you have hit the nail firmly on the head

The knives have been out for this amazing inspirational teacher for years. This is just another example.
When this blows over they’ll find something else.
I wonder if these children realise how lucky they are to have her.

A Christian group classroom which was called Saints and Sinners did meet once a week in my school run by a teacher no problem with that, no one coerced to go. If another group wanted to use the space they just signed up. I don’t think exam results would be affected by allowing an inter faith space. Banning teenagers from doing anything is bound to alienate them.

Everything is organised “for the greater good - cohesion in our school”. Pupils are encouraged to be proud of their place within it. The uniform, the standards set, the good manners towards everyone. No talking in the corridors (prevents bullying), no smartphones allowed.

This Head is strict but fair. She’s doing something right - look at their waiting lists for admission! Parents believe in her school ethos and want in. Discipline is not a dirty word there.

I think schools in New Zealand are secular although non-spdcific religious education is allowed to bs taught.

Ms Birbalsingh is a New Zealander.

She certainly achieves great grades for her pupils doesn’t she Anniel?
😊

I really admire her. As do her staff - most of whom attended Russell Group universities.

Surely the problem here is bullying, not praying. Why are schools so bad at tackling bullying? I thought this woman was supposed to be red hot on discipline.

Glorianny and other left wing posters are generally Secularists. That is fine with most people. So you’re trying to get this secular school to have prayer rooms or make exceptions for these Muslim students. I know that Ms Birbalsingh has been popular with Conservatives and had a job with the current govt at one stage so I guess Glorianny et al would never support this amazing woman who has given working class children a better education than any fee paying school. I suggest you look at the Michaela school results . It is the top performing school in England. I support this great school, but then I was always working class and had the benefit of my grammar school education. I wish my son had gone to Michaela!

X posts Calli!

I doubt it would be used much by British kids

I think you’ll find these ARE British kids. Who happen to be Muslim.

Perhaps you meant CoE kids wouldn’t use a prayer room much BlueBelle?
🤔

I doubt it would be used much by British kids
🤔 Our friends are British, their children are British but they're all Muslim, other British friends are Hindu.

I'm sure you have mentioned you are an atheist, Glorianny, forgive me if I'm wrong, so I wonder why you are defending the Muslim faith so strongly?
Would you defend Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism or other faiths too?

With children of all faiths demanding their rights in school time, it could cause utter chaos with the timetables. Teaching could be constantly disrupted.

Should all state schools in England be Church of England schools as the C of E is the Established Church in Engand?

Glorianny

So what about small scale faiths with few members who couldn't afford to build their own school? Where would those children go?

With their parents out of school time to services, meetings and to instruction in the faith if their choice.