kanelli - you're right - I do have a biased perspective because I am Muslim and attend Friday prayers each week.
I've also had many Muslim gatherings in school halls over the years - and pretty much all of them included collective prayers.
I also don't see the issue of men sitting separately from women as an issue of equality - but surely, as the lady quoted stated, this should be addressed to the Muslim ladies (and men) for their views.
I have no problems with Ballet, tae kwon do, scouts, brownies, Bible class etc being done within school premises as an accomodation for those who wish to take part.
Allowing Muslim students to worship God at Friday lunchtime seems to me to be something that should be inoffensive and indeed celebrated as a sign of religious freedom. If it doesn't impact on class time and doesn't impose restrictions or conditions on non-Muslims, I repeat, where's the harm?
In London, every employer allowed me extra time off on Friday to attend prayers and I just made up the time elsewhere - had I not had to travel to a place of worship (in this case it was a college a short tube journey away, and not a mosque), I wouldn't have had any extra time needed. Seems sensible to me that the school is providing this service - otherwise the kids would have had to miss out on this each week.
(Bora - ballet / balletophobia may seem an inappropriate analogy to you - but to me the principle is valid - elective and selective use of the hall is what this seems to be about.)
Cheers,
Shafique