Trojan Horse row: Ofsted report indicates ‘culture of fear’ at Birmingham schools

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

Education watchdog Ofsted tells a culture of fear and intimidation has developed at some Birmingham schools inspected following claims that hard-line Muslims were plotting a takeover the schools in the city.

According to a damning review by chief inspector of schools, Sir Michael Wilshaw into 21 schools in Birmingham, the Ofsted report says: “A culture of fear and intimidation has developed in some of the schools since their previous inspection.

“Some headteachers, including those with a proud record of raising standards, said that they have been marginalised or forced out of their jobs. As a result, some schools previously judged to be good or outstanding have experienced high levels of staff turbulence, low staff morale and a rapid decline in their overall effectiveness.

“Some headteachers reported that there has been an organised campaign to target certain schools in Birmingham in order to alter their character and ethos.

“The evidence shows that governors have recently exerted inappropriate influence on policy and the day-to-day running of several schools in Birmingham.

“In other schools, leaders have struggled to resist attempts by governing bodies to use their powers to change the school in line with governors’ personal views.”

Five out of the 21 schools examined are being placed in special measures and put under new management after Ofsted judged the schools as inadequate.

Three of those include – Park View, Golden Hillock and Nansen – are part of the Park View Educational Trust academy chain. One, Oldknow, is a freestanding academy while the fifth, Saltley,s run by Birmingham city council.

Out of the above mentioned schools, Park View Educational Trust have confirmed on Monday of seeking a legal challenge against Ofsted’s findings. The trust’s vice-chair, David Hughes has said that Park View, Golden Hillocks and Nansen were “categorically not inadequate schools” as the inspectors found “absolutely no evidence” of any extremism plot going on there.

Article viewed on Oye! Times at www.oyetimes.com.