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Ofsted inspecting further schools in wake of Trojan horse affair Ofsted inspecting further schools in wake of Trojan horse affair
(about 5 hours later)
Ofsted inspectors are visiting several more schools across England over concerns of unbalanced curriculums and poor governance in the wake of the Trojan horse affair in Birmingham schools. Ofsted inspectors are visiting more schools across England over concerns of unbalanced curriculums and poor governance in the wake of the Trojan horse affair in Birmingham, the Ofsted chief, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has announced.
The announcement by the Ofsted chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, follows reports that two predominantly Muslim schools in Bradford are being investigated, in the same week that the schools inspectorate published the results of its inquiry into 21 maintained and academy schools in Birmingham. A school in the London borough of Tower Hamlets and several schools in Bradford and Luton – with predominantly Muslim pupils – have been visited recently by Ofsted staff. This week the schools inspectorate published its inquiry into 21 schools in Birmingham.
Wilshaw said Ofsted had already conducted inspections in several faith and non-faith schools, and that his inspectors were poised to visit any school in response to concerns about an unbalanced curriculum or governors abusing their position. Wilshaw said Ofsted had already conducted inspections in several faith and non-faith schools, and his inspectors were poised to visit any school over complaints about pupil safety, teaching or governors abusing their positions.
"We should all be concerned if a school – of any kind – is failing to encourage children to develop tolerant attitudes towards other faiths and cultures or allowing governors to exert inappropriate influence on the curriculum or other aspects of school life," Wilshaw said. An Ofsted spokesman said it could not comment on the number or location of the inspections for operational reasons. The inspection reports will be published following Ofsted's standard procedure. The latest inspections are not said to be on the scale of the Birmingham investigation.
"It's vitally important that we remain vigilant for such problems developing in any part of the country."
An Ofsted spokesman said it could not comment on the number or location of the inspections for operational reasons. The inspection reports will be published following Ofsted's standard procedure.
So far only a small number of schools – which may include independent as well as state schools – have been visited, spread over a wide area. The inspections are not thought to be on the scale of the Birmingham investigation.
Ofsted's network of regional directors have been asked to act on concerns that are brought to their attention, using Ofsted's existing powers to carry out unannounced inspections where necessary.Ofsted's network of regional directors have been asked to act on concerns that are brought to their attention, using Ofsted's existing powers to carry out unannounced inspections where necessary.
"Under Ofsted's regional structure, our inspectors are now closer to the ground and to those we inspect than ever before. I have asked them to make sure they are using their local knowledge and contacts to identify where these type of problems may be taking hold," Wilshaw said."Under Ofsted's regional structure, our inspectors are now closer to the ground and to those we inspect than ever before. I have asked them to make sure they are using their local knowledge and contacts to identify where these type of problems may be taking hold," Wilshaw said.
"Where we hear of concerns, we will respond swiftly in order to reassure parents and the wider community that children are receiving the good, safe and well-rounded education to which they are entitled.""Where we hear of concerns, we will respond swiftly in order to reassure parents and the wider community that children are receiving the good, safe and well-rounded education to which they are entitled."
In his summary of the Birmingham investigation – in which five schools were downgraded to inadequate and placed in special measures – Wilshaw said school leaders had not adequately addressed the potential risks associated with extremism and radicalisation.In his summary of the Birmingham investigation – in which five schools were downgraded to inadequate and placed in special measures – Wilshaw said school leaders had not adequately addressed the potential risks associated with extremism and radicalisation.
Ofsted inspectors said they had seen evidence of some governors exerting inappropriate influence over the running of their schools, and examples of headteachers who had been forced out of their jobs after clashes with governors.Ofsted inspectors said they had seen evidence of some governors exerting inappropriate influence over the running of their schools, and examples of headteachers who had been forced out of their jobs after clashes with governors.
Two secondary schools in Bradford, Carlton Bolling college and Laisterdyke business and enterprise college, are said to have been recently inspected by Ofsted. Laisterdyke's board of governors was removed and replaced by an interim executive board appointed by Bradford council in April.Two secondary schools in Bradford, Carlton Bolling college and Laisterdyke business and enterprise college, are said to have been recently inspected by Ofsted. Laisterdyke's board of governors was removed and replaced by an interim executive board appointed by Bradford council in April.