Reversing school’s ‘prayer ban’ exposes it to risk of threats, High Court told

Reversing a school’s “emergency” provoked decision to ban prayer rituals would again expose it to “an unacceptable risk of threats”, the High Court has been told.

Michaela Community School in Brent, north London, argues allowing such practices risks “undermining inclusion and social cohesion between pupils”, with its ban coming after a “vitriolic campaign of abuse, harassment and threats” against staff.

The high-achieving free school, previously dubbed Britain’s strictest, is facing a legal challenge from a student who claims its approach to prayer on the premises is discriminatory and “uniquely” affects her