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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that the mother/daughter duo who took Michaela to court should face some natural consequences?

586 replies

KTheGrey · 16/04/2024 15:27

Apparently the mother involved wants to send her younger child to the school she finds so unsatisfactory in September. I don't think this is reasonable. I understand the logic of leaving a child at a school where they are established, but she should be expected to find a school she likes better for a younger sibling, surely.

She also intends to bring another suit, presumably tax payer funded again. I think that she should be expected to pay in full for any further suit she brings against the school. She could apply for costs if she wins.

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ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat · 16/04/2024 16:10

YABU to want them to face consequences. Consequences for what exactly?

FloofyBird · 16/04/2024 16:10

Was it even legal aid funded? Don't they have to feel you have over 50% of success before legal aid will fund?

I dunno, all those pesky people taking advantage of legal aid to mount perfectly valid legal challenges must be costing us taxpayers a fortune. Not.

KTheGrey · 16/04/2024 16:09

MidnightPatrol · 16/04/2024 16:00

Ok.

I disagree. I think people should have freedom to practice their religion during school hours if it’s required eg praying.

Regarding food, do they refuse to accommodate pupils not eating pork?

It's vegetarian - but eggs touch the plates and Hindu children are made aware of
this.

Again, I think you can make up prayers after school.

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mitogoshi · 16/04/2024 16:09

I personally think it's ridiculous that youngsters can't pray if they want to at lunchtime in the playground. However this comes with the caveat that there must be zero pressure on Muslim students to join in if they don't want to (part of the schools case were Muslim students were being pressured to take part in praying). I'm Christian but respect the rights of others.

OneTC · 16/04/2024 16:08

I am not religious and would prefer for there to be a separation between church and state but I wouldn't extend that to personal prayer in lunch time.

I'm more blown away by them not being allowed to congregate in groups larger than 4. That must make a kick around pretty shit

KTheGrey · 16/04/2024 16:07

Mistredd · 16/04/2024 15:57

I don’t think a school should be allowed to ban religious practice. I went to a C of E school but Muslim pupils were allowed to wear a headscarf, Hindu pupils wore religious symbols. I cannot imagine an employer getting away with this so I don’t see why a school should. I practice a different faith but I’d donate money for this mum to sue the school.

That's really interesting to me. I think we should embrace secularity, because we have to live together. And I would be astonished if all employers allow prayer breaks. Is this mandatory? I thought you could make up prayers after work if necessary?

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OhmygodDont · 16/04/2024 16:04

Didn’t the school introduce it because children of the same religion where also being bullied and forced into taking part as well as threats against pupils praying via public walking by.

These prayers can be caught up made up once home there is no need to be done in school when it’s clearly causing issues between pupils (the ones trying to force others to take part) and it putting them at risk as well from the public.

KTheGrey · 16/04/2024 16:04

KrisAkabusi · 16/04/2024 15:49

So you sign up going in.

No. The posted article says the rule was only introduced in March last year. So there were hundreds of students that had a new rule imposed on them without having that choice. Hence the case.

I beg your pardon. You are quite right; March 2023. I was under the impression that they had no prayer room on purpose though? Along with doing revision on Sundays which annoys Christians and having eggs touch plates which is not allowed in Hinduism. And teaching Macbeth with witches which upsets thr Jehovah's Witnesses.

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Dacadactyl · 16/04/2024 16:01

I think it's OK to challenge the schools decision in court and also to send your younger child there if you're happy for them to do the "Qada prayers" later on, instead.

I would say to the family that, in my experience of schools, a firm head who runs the school their own way, is what leads to their successful results.

A wishy washy head who bends to parental pressure leads to a crap school.

MidnightPatrol · 16/04/2024 16:00

KTheGrey · 16/04/2024 15:47

I don't think there should be any religious worship at school. (Also an atheist, raised Very Christian - lots of worship). You can practise your religion (worship) in your non-work time.

Also Michaela makes it clear they will not cater to ANY religious requests. They have extra revision on Sunday, eggs touch the plates etc. So you sign up going in.

Ok.

I disagree. I think people should have freedom to practice their religion during school hours if it’s required eg praying.

Regarding food, do they refuse to accommodate pupils not eating pork?

Mistredd · 16/04/2024 15:57

I don’t think a school should be allowed to ban religious practice. I went to a C of E school but Muslim pupils were allowed to wear a headscarf, Hindu pupils wore religious symbols. I cannot imagine an employer getting away with this so I don’t see why a school should. I practice a different faith but I’d donate money for this mum to sue the school.

EasternStandard · 16/04/2024 15:57

Teentaxidriver · 16/04/2024 15:54

The family is being funded by lobby groups and foreign interest groups coming out of countries like Iran. Did you not see the headlines re: back door blasphemy laws? People need to wake up.

I haven’t followed this at all is it funded by tax payer (legal aid?) or this

gloriagloria · 16/04/2024 15:57

The rule was introduced after the children had started at the school. And they were praying the the playground, not demanding special consideration or asking for anything. The only thing against the school rules were they were gathering in groups of more than four.

KTheGrey · 16/04/2024 15:56

neverendingcold · 16/04/2024 15:29

I don't think the younger child should be penalised for their mother/ older child's court case. I also think it should be allowed to raise court cases within reason and not be punished for it

How do you define reasonable and do you think the taxpayer should pay for these suits?

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Boomer55 · 16/04/2024 15:55

We should be like France. No faith schools, any faith, ,and all education to be secular.

Teentaxidriver · 16/04/2024 15:54

The family is being funded by lobby groups and foreign interest groups coming out of countries like Iran. Did you not see the headlines re: back door blasphemy laws? People need to wake up.

Sandwichblock · 16/04/2024 15:54

Has anyone actually read the article? 30 students had been praying regularly in their lunch break. The school introduced a ban after being concerned about threats.

I don't think the school was wrong, I am a little surprised, but pleased the court upheld it, but it was definitely a change.

KrisAkabusi · 16/04/2024 15:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Again, the rule was brought in after over a thousand students had enrolled. Also, why shouldn't they be allowed to send another child? They are making an informed choice now that he court has clarified that prayers won't be allowed. Or are you suggesting that the other child should be banned from the school for a sibling daring to make a perfectly legal challenge?
And congratulations on being self-aware enough to know you're becoming a racist.

Teentaxidriver · 16/04/2024 15:53

If she wants to pray during the school day then go to an appropriate faith school.

Teentaxidriver · 16/04/2024 15:52

It is a SECULAR school, and always has been. They knew what kind of school it was when they joined. Yet another example of minority groups expecting special treatment.

neilyoungismyhero · 16/04/2024 15:49

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

KrisAkabusi · 16/04/2024 15:49

So you sign up going in.

No. The posted article says the rule was only introduced in March last year. So there were hundreds of students that had a new rule imposed on them without having that choice. Hence the case.

KTheGrey · 16/04/2024 15:49

KrisAkabusi · 16/04/2024 15:47

What consequences should she/they face? The school made a change to their policy that they did not agree with. A court ruled that the school had the right to impose that aspect. Life now goes on as normal. They didn't do anything wrong by bringing the case, everyone has a right to test rules in the courts. It's how the whole system works. Are you now proposing they should be punished just because you don't like it?

I don't think they made a change. I think that the no religious stuff is made clear when you sign up.

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KrisAkabusi · 16/04/2024 15:47

What consequences should she/they face? The school made a change to their policy that they did not agree with. A court ruled that the school had the right to impose that aspect. Life now goes on as normal. They didn't do anything wrong by bringing the case, everyone has a right to test rules in the courts. It's how the whole system works. Are you now proposing they should be punished just because you don't like it?

KTheGrey · 16/04/2024 15:47

MidnightPatrol · 16/04/2024 15:32

IMO it’s a fair challenge re: ‘should you have the freedom to practice your religion at school’.

And I say that as an atheist.

I don't think there should be any religious worship at school. (Also an atheist, raised Very Christian - lots of worship). You can practise your religion (worship) in your non-work time.

Also Michaela makes it clear they will not cater to ANY religious requests. They have extra revision on Sunday, eggs touch the plates etc. So you sign up going in.

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