What the hounding of Katharine Birbalsingh says about British culture

Sir – Katharine Birbalsingh – the head teacher of Michaela Community School, which faces a High Court challenge for its ban on prayer rituals (report, January 18) – deserves support.

She takes an intelligent approach to teaching in a multicultural country. Societies risk decline if everyone does not sign up to a shared set of standards and traditions.

Attempting to accommodate all values and behaviours results in tension. I fear we are becoming a society where anything goes. Rosemary Sage

Northampton

Sir – If only all schools were as transformative as the melting pot that is Michaela, and if only all had head teachers as inspirational as Katharine Birbalsingh. Elizabeth Edmunds

Hassocks, West Sussex allowed to pray should perhaps leave the school and join one that caters for her needs. It’s possible, however, that the academic standards would not be as high. The school is successful because of its ethos. If you do not agree with it, do not enrol your child there. Trevor Joyce

Canterbury, Kent

Sir – While not condoning the behaviour towards Ms Birbalsingh’s staff, I feel a sense of unease at her statement that “every group must make sacrifices for the sake of the whole” (report, January 18).

The KC acting for the school trust says it “aggressively” promotes integration, is run with “military precision” and uses “ultra-strict enforcement of prescribed behavioural rules”. Does this encourage critical thinking? Alison Watson

Wincanton, Somerset

I believe the dispute at Michaela could and should have been avoided.

First, the school should have become its own admissions authority, meaning that it develops its own application form for prospective pupils, and the completed forms are considered by the school governors’ admissions committee, not the local authority. It should be made clear on the form that parents agree to support all school policies.

Secondly, the prayer policy should make clear that the only prayers acceptable are those that are part of the morning assembly.

Thirdly, with the original application form the parent should have to include a signed copy of the home-school agreement, which should contain an unambiguous reference to prayers. If this signed agreement is not submitted, the application should either not be considered or be given a low-priority ranking. David S Ainsworth

Manchester