The non-faith state secondary school argued that its “team ethos” means that the interests of the school community take precedence over the needs of the individual. According to Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher, it also involves “aggressively” promoting integration between pupils from different faiths, cultures and ethnic backgrounds while they are at school, as well as minimising the social distinctions between them.
The school has 700 pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds, about half of whom are Muslim. The pupil who brought the case against the school has her anonymity protected because she is under 18.
What did the court decide?
Mr Justice Linden found that the school’s policy of preventing pupils from praying in the playground during their lunch break did not amount to interference with the pupil’s right to freedom to manifest her religious beliefs, which is protected under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
This story is from the April 17, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the April 17, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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