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| 'No extremism,' says Birmingham school | 'No extremism,' says Birmingham school |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Birmingham school at the centre of the "Trojan Horse" allegations has no religious extremism of any kind, says the chair of governors. | A Birmingham school at the centre of the "Trojan Horse" allegations has no religious extremism of any kind, says the chair of governors. |
| Tahir Alam from Park View School told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was no segregation of boys and girls or assemblies supporting Al-Qaeda. | Tahir Alam from Park View School told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was no segregation of boys and girls or assemblies supporting Al-Qaeda. |
| "We're shocked by so many false allegations," said Mr Alam. | "We're shocked by so many false allegations," said Mr Alam. |
| But local MP Khalid Mahmood said schools had changed their practices because of so much scrutiny. | But local MP Khalid Mahmood said schools had changed their practices because of so much scrutiny. |
| "They realise they are being focused on and significantly changed their attitudes, changing the way they hold assemblies," said Mr Mahmood. | "They realise they are being focused on and significantly changed their attitudes, changing the way they hold assemblies," said Mr Mahmood. |
| 'No segregation' | 'No segregation' |
| The MP for Perry Barr said that the conflict had arisen because there had been efforts to turn a non-faith school into a "religious school". | The MP for Perry Barr said that the conflict had arisen because there had been efforts to turn a non-faith school into a "religious school". |
| Mr Mahmood has said he has received many concerns, given in confidence, from parents, teachers and governors. | |
| But Mr Alam, chair of a school that had been in the spotlight over claims of hardline Muslim take-overs of schools in Birmingham, categorically denied that there had been any inappropriate behaviour. | But Mr Alam, chair of a school that had been in the spotlight over claims of hardline Muslim take-overs of schools in Birmingham, categorically denied that there had been any inappropriate behaviour. |
| He blamed "media hysteria" for the claims about extremism in schools which has prompted four official investigations. | He blamed "media hysteria" for the claims about extremism in schools which has prompted four official investigations. |
| He said that the school had an intake that was 99% Muslim, but that it had to cater for children of all faiths and backgrounds. | He said that the school had an intake that was 99% Muslim, but that it had to cater for children of all faiths and backgrounds. |
| The schools policies on areas such as collective prayer, headscarves and halal meat were "within the legal parameters", he said. | The schools policies on areas such as collective prayer, headscarves and halal meat were "within the legal parameters", he said. |
| "No child has to wear a headscarf or go to prayer. We don't have a policy of segregating pupils in the classroom," he said. | "No child has to wear a headscarf or go to prayer. We don't have a policy of segregating pupils in the classroom," he said. |
| And Mr Alam denied claims there had been assemblies with speakers sympathetic to Al-Qaeda. | And Mr Alam denied claims there had been assemblies with speakers sympathetic to Al-Qaeda. |
| Swimming in Ramadan | Swimming in Ramadan |
| Pressed on whether he believed pupils should be able to swim in the month of Ramadan, he said there were concerns that swallowing water would mean breaking a fast. | Pressed on whether he believed pupils should be able to swim in the month of Ramadan, he said there were concerns that swallowing water would mean breaking a fast. |
| The investigations into extremism in Birmingham schools had been sparked by an anonymous and unverified letter claiming that there was a "Trojan Horse" conspiracy by a group wanting to impose a more hardline Muslim agenda on schools in the city. | The investigations into extremism in Birmingham schools had been sparked by an anonymous and unverified letter claiming that there was a "Trojan Horse" conspiracy by a group wanting to impose a more hardline Muslim agenda on schools in the city. |
| This included claims that head teachers were being replaced with staff who were more likely to be sympathetic to these religious beliefs. | This included claims that head teachers were being replaced with staff who were more likely to be sympathetic to these religious beliefs. |
| The authenticity of the letter has been disputed, but the National Association of Head Teachers says there seemed to have been "concerted efforts" to take over six schools in Birmingham. | The authenticity of the letter has been disputed, but the National Association of Head Teachers says there seemed to have been "concerted efforts" to take over six schools in Birmingham. |
| The schools watchdog for England, Ofsted, is to publish inspection reports next month into schools where there have been allegations. | The schools watchdog for England, Ofsted, is to publish inspection reports next month into schools where there have been allegations. |
| The Department for Education has commissioned an investigation headed by former counter-terror chief, Peter Clarke. | The Department for Education has commissioned an investigation headed by former counter-terror chief, Peter Clarke. |