One of the most successful schools in the country, Michaela Community School in north-west London, has become the centre of a storm over the place of religion in schools. Some Muslim pupils wanted to exercise their right to worship. The head teacher and school’s founder, Katharine Birbalsingh, banned them from doing so, saying the non-religious environment of the school was key to its success. Pupils had started to say their daily prayers outside, using their coats as prayer mats. One of them has begun legal proceedings against the school.