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'Trojan Horse': Schools trust hits out at special measures decision 'Trojan Horse': Schools trust hits out at special measures decision
(35 minutes later)
A trust has denounced the decision to put three schools in special measures, as Ofsted prepares to publish reports on the alleged "Trojan Horse" plot.A trust has denounced the decision to put three schools in special measures, as Ofsted prepares to publish reports on the alleged "Trojan Horse" plot.
The watchdog was called in after allegations of a hardline Muslim takeover of schools in Birmingham and has now inspected 21 schools.The watchdog was called in after allegations of a hardline Muslim takeover of schools in Birmingham and has now inspected 21 schools.
The Park View Educational Trust said it "wholeheartedly disputes" the verdict on three of its schools.The Park View Educational Trust said it "wholeheartedly disputes" the verdict on three of its schools.
It said the inspections were conducted in a "climate of suspicion".It said the inspections were conducted in a "climate of suspicion".
In a statement David Hughes, the trust's vice chairman, confirmed the Park View, Golden Hillock and Nansen had all been placed in special measures. In a statement David Hughes, the trust's vice chairman, confirmed that Park View, Golden Hillock and Nansen had all been placed in special measures.
"Ofsted inspectors came to our schools looking for extremism, looking for segregation, looking for proof that our children have religion forced upon them as part of an Islamic plot," he said."Ofsted inspectors came to our schools looking for extremism, looking for segregation, looking for proof that our children have religion forced upon them as part of an Islamic plot," he said.
"The Ofsted reports found absolutely no evidence of this because this is categorically not what is happening at our schools.""The Ofsted reports found absolutely no evidence of this because this is categorically not what is happening at our schools."
The trust has accused politicians of a "kneejerk reaction" and of undermining "the great work" done by the schools.The trust has accused politicians of a "kneejerk reaction" and of undermining "the great work" done by the schools.
'Hastily arranged'
Lee Donaghy, assistant principal at Park View School, said it "simply wasn't true" that the school was failing to protect its pupils from extremism.Lee Donaghy, assistant principal at Park View School, said it "simply wasn't true" that the school was failing to protect its pupils from extremism.
"We have nothing to hide. Talk to the parents, talk to our former pupils. They will tell you this is an outstanding school, with outstanding results, where pupils are taught right from wrong."We have nothing to hide. Talk to the parents, talk to our former pupils. They will tell you this is an outstanding school, with outstanding results, where pupils are taught right from wrong.
"They will tell you there is no segregation or extremism," he said."They will tell you there is no segregation or extremism," he said.
The 21 individual reports are due to be published by Ofsted at 13:30 BST.The 21 individual reports are due to be published by Ofsted at 13:30 BST.
'Hastily arranged'
However, a leaked draft report by the Education Funding Agency (EFA), said the Park View trust schools had "taken the Islamic focus too far".However, a leaked draft report by the Education Funding Agency (EFA), said the Park View trust schools had "taken the Islamic focus too far".
It found girls and boys had been segregated in some classes.It found girls and boys had been segregated in some classes.
Downing Street confirmed that five schools that had previously rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted had now been rated inadequate in the reports. In other developments:
The government confirmed that five schools that had previously rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted had now been rated inadequate in the reports.
It comes as David Cameron is set to ask Ofsted to bring in snap inspections for schools in England following the allegations.It comes as David Cameron is set to ask Ofsted to bring in snap inspections for schools in England following the allegations.
Currently, schools can be inspected without notice if they are rated inadequate for behaviour.Currently, schools can be inspected without notice if they are rated inadequate for behaviour.
Education Secretary Michael Gove will ask Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of schools, to look into whether any school could be inspected with no notice.Education Secretary Michael Gove will ask Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of schools, to look into whether any school could be inspected with no notice.
The Birmingham schools at the centre of the allegations had previously been given between one and two days' notice of inspections, but this time were told just 30 minutes in advance, Downing Street said.The Birmingham schools at the centre of the allegations had previously been given between one and two days' notice of inspections, but this time were told just 30 minutes in advance, Downing Street said.
It said that the notice periods had previously been used by some of the schools to put on "hastily arranged shows of cultural inclusivity".It said that the notice periods had previously been used by some of the schools to put on "hastily arranged shows of cultural inclusivity".
These included an assembly on Easter and Christianity at one of the schools, Oldknow Academy.These included an assembly on Easter and Christianity at one of the schools, Oldknow Academy.
The Rev Oliver Coss, a governor at Regent's Park primary school, one of the 21 inspected, told BBC Breakfast he was "confident" about his school and added that there was "a genuine risk of making it seem as though Islam is the same as extremism or Islam is the same as terrorism".The Rev Oliver Coss, a governor at Regent's Park primary school, one of the 21 inspected, told BBC Breakfast he was "confident" about his school and added that there was "a genuine risk of making it seem as though Islam is the same as extremism or Islam is the same as terrorism".
'Significant grooming'
Azhar Qayum, from the Muslim Association of Birmingham, told the BBC that the reports left him "disgusted and horrified - as a lot of people are in the community here".Azhar Qayum, from the Muslim Association of Birmingham, told the BBC that the reports left him "disgusted and horrified - as a lot of people are in the community here".
However, Birmingham Perry Barr Labour MP Khalid Mahmood said it was vital that the inquiries dealt with everyone who had "manipulated what schools are there to do".
"There is a significant grooming going on in these schools away from the ethos and the school of thought of the parents of these children," he said.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Labour's former education secretary David Blunkett called for a national advisory committee to help determine curriculums and governance for all schools.
He said it was important to have schools that "teach children to think for themselves" rather than having a particular ideology "shoved down their throats".
AnalysisAnalysis
By Sean Coughlan, education correspondentBy Sean Coughlan, education correspondent
This strange tale of the Trojan Horse allegation - sparked by an anonymous letter and named after a myth - is finally going to reach some definite conclusions.This strange tale of the Trojan Horse allegation - sparked by an anonymous letter and named after a myth - is finally going to reach some definite conclusions.
Ofsted is going to publish its inspection reports on Monday - although many have already been revealed - and head teachers will give their own first-hand views about claims of a takeover.Ofsted is going to publish its inspection reports on Monday - although many have already been revealed - and head teachers will give their own first-hand views about claims of a takeover.
Schools labelled by Ofsted as inadequate are likely to reject the findings as scaremongering and an unfair misrepresentation.Schools labelled by Ofsted as inadequate are likely to reject the findings as scaremongering and an unfair misrepresentation.
But Education Secretary Michael Gove has sweeping powers of intervention and changes to Birmingham's schools are likely to follow.But Education Secretary Michael Gove has sweeping powers of intervention and changes to Birmingham's schools are likely to follow.
The Trojan Horse has got inside the walls in unexpected ways.The Trojan Horse has got inside the walls in unexpected ways.
Ofsted and the Department for Education began as the inquisitors, but they've now come under scrutiny themselves.Ofsted and the Department for Education began as the inquisitors, but they've now come under scrutiny themselves.
Ministers have fallen out, questions have been asked about failing to act on past warnings and the reliability of the inspection process has been challenged.Ministers have fallen out, questions have been asked about failing to act on past warnings and the reliability of the inspection process has been challenged.
'Robust response''Robust response'
Mr Gove is due to take questions from MPs on the alleged plot - after the reports have been published.Mr Gove is due to take questions from MPs on the alleged plot - after the reports have been published.
Leaving his house, Mr Gove told reporters he was due to make "a very important statement in the commons later".
He has been involved in a bitter dispute with Home Secretary Theresa May over the government's response to the Birmingham allegations, which has led to the resignation of Mrs May's special adviser and an apology from Mr Gove.He has been involved in a bitter dispute with Home Secretary Theresa May over the government's response to the Birmingham allegations, which has led to the resignation of Mrs May's special adviser and an apology from Mr Gove.
Mr Gove apologised to Mr Cameron and counter-terrorism chief Charles Farr after his allies spoke to the Times, accusing the Home Office of failing to "drain the swamp" of extremism.Mr Gove apologised to Mr Cameron and counter-terrorism chief Charles Farr after his allies spoke to the Times, accusing the Home Office of failing to "drain the swamp" of extremism.
In response, the Home Office released a letter which Home Secretary Theresa May had written to Mr Gove, accusing his department of failing to act when concerns about the Birmingham schools were brought to its attention in 2010.In response, the Home Office released a letter which Home Secretary Theresa May had written to Mr Gove, accusing his department of failing to act when concerns about the Birmingham schools were brought to its attention in 2010.
Fiona Cunningham, the home secretary's special adviser, was found to have been the source of a negative briefing against Mr Gove and has now stood down.Fiona Cunningham, the home secretary's special adviser, was found to have been the source of a negative briefing against Mr Gove and has now stood down.