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Inside 'Britain's strictest school' where pupils sing the national anthem and can't sit with their friends at lunch

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date16 April 2024
Publication titleMyLondon (England)
The high-achieving Michaela Community School in Brent, North West London, hit the headlines earlier this year after a Muslim pupil brought a High Court challenge against its allegedly discriminatory ban on prayer rituals

The school defended against the claim, arguing it had the discretion to adopt the stance amid death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site. A ruling is due on Tuesday, April 16.

Details of Michaela's practices and its "ultra-strict enforcement" of behaviour rules were revealed by lawyers during the hearing of the student's legal challenge. Here are some of the strictest practices:

The head, Katharine Birbalsingh, has been described as Britain's strictest headteacher. The high-profile school leader has attracted a lot of media attention over the years for her outspoken views on education and “woke” culture.

"Family lunch", poetry chanting and singing the national anthem

At lunchtime, children cannot choose where they sit in the school's halls but are allocated to tables of six depending on their year and form.

The first stand behind their chairs and chant poetry from memory and a teacher sets a mandatory topic of conversation for pupils to discuss. The aim is to "develop the skill of conversing at a meal table".

Children also have set roles, such as collecting food or cleaning tables. Only vegetarian food is served to avoid division on racial or religious lines.

Students also have to sing the national anthem twice a week.

The Michaela "full stop"

Pupils must end every interaction with teachers with "Sir" or "Miss".

"Tracking" in lessons and "constant supervision"

Under the tracking system, pupils "must pay constant attention" to the teacher during lessons. There is no time during classes...

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