Prayer ban at Katharine Birbalsingh’s school is lawful, High Court rules .

I’m utterly amazed that they can afford this without additional funding outside of that which they’d get from Dept of Ed via their Academy, (if they are an academy school)

I don’t know what school meals cost nowadays but I read that at this school a two course (pescatarian) lunch and snacks costs £2.50 a day.
Sounds like a bargain to me, taking into account energy and catering staff costs!

Another vote for the outcome here.

Thanks. I didn’t understand how the staff costs could be afforded in a non-fee paying school. I don’t know what school meals cost nowadays but I read that at this school a two course (pescatarian) lunch and snacks costs £2.50 a day - pupils are not allowed to bring any food into school (so no snacks or packed lunches), but if a child is entitled to free school meals the money is refunded to the parents.

Germanshepherdsmum

Any idea how this is afforded Joseann?

Ha ha! KPI is all important! Staff costs in an average independent school amount to about 70% of the income received. I know this isn't a fee paying school, but there you go! KB must have an extra pot of money somewhere for that 12:1 ratio.
Teacher:pupil ratio is a tricky one in the primary sector where we usually have more staff for obvious reasons.

Any idea how this is afforded Joseann?

Joseann

^The number of pupils is extremely small and the staff student ratio is 12/1^.
Should that say 1:12 Glorianny?

No wonder standards were able to be so high Joseann!

I didn’t sell houses Lizzie - see above - but at least those who do are paid by their clients, not the taxpayer.

To GSM

At least those lawyers do rather more than selling houses!

The number of pupils is extremely small and the staff student ratio is 12/1.
Should that say 1:12 Glorianny?

My last post was in reply to Glorianny

So you are questioning their intelligence and judgement.

AGAA4

Good result. It seems this girl will stay at the school and a sibling may join after causing major difficulties for the head and teachers. It feels arrogant to me. If she and her mother feel so disappointed in the decision she should leave and attend a Muslim school.

I hear what you are saying, but I think it is good that the child is staying on at the school. Every Head and every teacher should want the best for their pupils, and this child, though disappointed, obviously feels comfortable to stay at the school without rancour and bitterness. This shows that fairness and tolerance all round counts. The school will handle it professionally and just fine, but sadly these things do take up a disproportionate amount of everyone's time.

Actually the girl's statement sounds very articulate and measured to me. I have no doubt the legal team worded it well, but it is the mother (and probably other backers), who are continuing to make a meal out of it.

Rosie51

^She also known as someone who uses an incredibly limited curriculum to obtain the results she does and is criticised for not preparing children in any way to deal with the problems they will meet in the world outside school^ and yet her school is oversubscribed I believe, and the mother of this girl wants to enrol her other daughter too. Are you questioning this mother's and all the other parents' intelligence and judgement?

Personally I wouldn't have sent any of my children there because I'm not convinced the level of discipline enforced is totally necessary. I do admire the ethos of the mealtimes and encouraging children of all religions and none to mix, not hive off into separate groups.

I think many people think that an education that gives good exam results is a good education.
The number of pupils is extremely small and the staff student ratio is 12/1. Many schools could give such good results with such small numbers. Unfortunately they don't have the money to do so.

So much spite.
Attacks on British cultural traditions.
The pupils who attend this school attend through choice, and if they do not like the ethos of the school they have the choice to leave and join a school that suits them better, not attempt to change the existing ethos to suit their preferences.

I assure you, zakouma, that those lawyers who don’t take on this type of case or advise clients to get baptised to avoid being sent home don’t wish to be lumped in with those who do such things.

AGAA4

Most religions have a supreme being or "God" so there is nothing wrong in
"God save the King."

But is it secular?

Germanshepherdsmum

I f you find the expression pathetic, Lizzie, perhaps you could come up with a suitable alternative?

I suggest the word lawyer.

Most religions have a supreme being or "God" so there is nothing wrong in
"God save the King."

She also known as someone who uses an incredibly limited curriculum to obtain the results she does and is criticised for not preparing children in any way to deal with the problems they will meet in the world outside school and yet her school is oversubscribed I believe, and the mother of this girl wants to enrol her other daughter too. Are you questioning this mother's and all the other parents' intelligence and judgement?

Personally I wouldn't have sent any of my children there because I'm not convinced the level of discipline enforced is totally necessary. I do admire the ethos of the mealtimes and encouraging children of all religions and none to mix, not hive off into separate groups.

I f you find the expression pathetic, Lizzie, perhaps you could come up with a suitable alternative?

It doesn’t mean she’s an atheist. She’s obviously a royalist.

Britain is one of the most secular countries in the world with many people having little or no religion.
To be truly secular Christian hymns and carols should not be a part of the school day.

The ‘lefty lawyer’ trope is pathetic, IMO.

With regard to this case, it highlights just how divisive religion is - and I mean all religions! For something that purports to promote love, harmony, etc religion isn’t doing very well anywhere in the world!