A Muslim student at a London school has lost a High Court challenge against its ban on prayer rituals. Michaela School in Wembley was taken to court by the girl over the policy, which she argued was discriminatory.
The non-faith state secondary school previously told the High Court that allowing prayer rituals risked “undermining inclusion” among pupils.
The free school’s founder and head teacher Katharine Birbalsingh said the ruling was a “victory for all schools”.
About half the school’s roughly 700 pupils are Muslim, the court previously heard. Students are expected to adhere to strict rules including focusing on teachers extensively during lessons and remaining silent in corridors, as well as observing restrictions on uniforms.
In March 2023, up to 30 students began praying in the school’s yard, using blazers to kneel on, the High Court heard.
The school introduced the ban in the same month due to concerns about a “culture shift” towards “segregation between religious groups and intimidation within the group of Muslim pupils”, the court was told.
Credit: bbc.com
