Inside 'Britain's strictest school' where pupils sing the national anthem and can't sit with their friends at lunch

Lunchtime poetry chanting, national anthem singing, restrictions on socialising, silent corridors and constant supervision form part of the "unique ethos" of a school dubbed Britain's strictest, a judge was told.

The high-achieving Michaela Community School in Brent, North West London, hit the headlines earlier this year after a Muslim pupil brought a High Court challenge against its allegedly discriminatory ban on prayer rituals.

The school defended against the claim, arguing it had the discretion to adopt the stance amid death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site. A ruling is due on Tuesday, April 16.

READ MORE: Full list of the London schools that are the hardest to get into

Details of Michaela's practices and its "ultra-strict enforcement" of behaviour rules were revealed by lawyers during the hearing of the student's legal challenge. Here are some of the strictest practices:

The head, Katharine Birbalsingh, has been described as Britain's strictest headteacher. The high-profile school leader has attracted a lot of media attention over the years for her outspoken views on education and “woke” culture.

"Family lunch", poetry chanting and singing the national anthem

At lunchtime, children cannot choose where they sit in the school's halls but are allocated to tables of six depending on their year and form.

The first stand behind their chairs and chant poetry from memory and a teacher sets a mandatory topic of conversation for pupils to discuss. The aim is to "develop the skill of conversing at a meal table".

Children also have set roles, such as collecting food or cleaning tables. Only vegetarian food is served to avoid division on racial or religious lines.

Students also have to sing the national anthem twice a week.

The Michaela "full stop"

Pupils must end every interaction with teachers with "Sir" or "Miss".

"Tracking" in lessons and "constant supervision"

Under the tracking system, pupils "must pay constant attention" to the teacher during lessons. There is no time during classes where children may socialise with others.

Teachers are specifically placed on corridors, staircases and at the door of the toilet to supervise children during breaks.

Silence in corridors

Students move around the school's narrow corridors in single file and in silence and can only acknowledge staff.

The "Rule of four, no more"

Groups of more than four pupils are not allowed, including when in the schoolyard.

The aim is to prevent social exclusion, with the school claiming that "bullying is virtually unheard of".

Efforts to "aggressively promote integration" include teachers actively intervening in schoolyard conversations and games to ensure pupils do not feel left out.

A strict uniform policy

There is a mandatory blazer, tie, and navy-blue bag carrying the school's logo. Jewellery and make-up are banned and hairstyles must be "appropriate".

All of the children have identical transparent plastic cases to carry their things in and a branded water bottle. Certain religious dress is allowed, such as headscarves.

Only certain items can be carried by students, with all others banned. Phones seen or heard are confiscated until the end of half term.

According to the pupil's lawyers, students are not allowed to wear coats, even in winter when they have to go outside in the cold.

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