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Ofsted raises alarm over 'squalid' illegal schools Ofsted raises alarm over 'squalid' illegal schools
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Ofsted inspectors have uncovered evidence of hundreds of children being taught in illegal schools, some with “squalid” conditions and inadequate protection for pupils, operating out of sight of local authorities. Fifteen illegal schools tutoring 800 children – some in squalid conditions and with inadequate safeguarding – have been found to be operating out of sight of local authorities in London, Birmingham and other parts of England.
Raids by Ofsted staff have recently found 15 unregistered schools in England, according to a report by its chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, to the education secretary, Nicky Morgan. Wilshaw is calling for greater powers to close underground schools more quickly. The unregulated schools were uncovered after a series of tip-offs to the Department for Education and raids by Ofsted inspectors. They appear to have used loopholes involving home study clubs as a way of avoiding regulation, and in some cases had an emphasis on Islamic or Jewish religious study, although some had no obvious religious affiliation.
“I remain concerned that not enough is being done to stop this illegal activity. Too many children remain at significant risk of harm,” Wilshaw told Morgan in a letter published by Ofsted on Tuesday. In the case of one illegal Islamic school uncovered in Bordesley Green, east Birmingham, inspectors found “squalid conditions, including three single mattresses covered in filthy sheets in one room and no running water in the toilet areas”.
“The fact that these so-called schools are unregistered means that they are hidden from the view of local authorities, the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted. It is vital, therefore, that when we do identify such illegal activity, the full force of the law is brought to bear on these institutions to stop them operating without delay.” Ofsted’s chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, called for greater powers for authorities to identify and close unregistered schools. In a letter to the education secretary, Nicky Morgan, he wrote: “I remain concerned that not enough is being done to stop this illegal activity. Too many children remain at significant risk of harm.
More than 800 pupils were found to be in illegal schools during the visits by Ofsted inspectors, which began just over a year ago after requests by the DfE. So far the DfE has identified 28 potential sites, of which more than half have turned out to be operating unregistered schools. “The fact that these so-called schools are unregistered means that they are hidden from the view of local authorities, the Department for Education and Ofsted. It is vital, therefore, that when we do identify such illegal activity, the full force of the law is brought to bear on these institutions to stop them operating without delay.”
Related: ‘Missing children’ at risk of exploitation, says schools inspections chiefRelated: ‘Missing children’ at risk of exploitation, says schools inspections chief
In his letter, Wilshaw accused local authorities of not acting swiftly enough to identify the unregistered schools, and singled out Birmingham city council as particularly at fault. So far the DfE has identified 28 potential sites, of which more than half have turned out to be unregistered schools.
In one case, inspectors made five visits to the site of an unregistered school in Bordesley Green, east Birmingham. It was only after Wilshaw invoked Ofsted’s powers that inspectors gained entry, accompanied by the West Midlands police. They found “squalid conditions, including three single mattresses covered in filthy sheets in one room and no running water in the toilet areas”. Wilshaw accuses local authorities of not acting swiftly enough to target the unregistered schools, and singled out Birmingham city council as particularly at fault.
Inspectors made five visits to the site of the unregistered school in Bordesley Green. It was only after Wilshaw invoked Ofsted’s powers that inspectors gained entry, accompanied by the West Midlands police.
Ofsted inspectors reported serious concerns over the welfare of children using the school. “At the most recent visit, inspectors were intentionally obstructed from entering the premises for an hour. During this time, inspectors observed a number of female students to be on the premises. When inspectors finally gained entry, the girls had left the building by an alternative exit,” Wilshaw said.Ofsted inspectors reported serious concerns over the welfare of children using the school. “At the most recent visit, inspectors were intentionally obstructed from entering the premises for an hour. During this time, inspectors observed a number of female students to be on the premises. When inspectors finally gained entry, the girls had left the building by an alternative exit,” Wilshaw said.
Staff told inspectors that these girls “were attending a local library and that they would return later in the day”, but they failed to reappear.Staff told inspectors that these girls “were attending a local library and that they would return later in the day”, but they failed to reappear.
Ofsted also found timetables suggesting that teaching was going on at the school for at least 20 hours a week, as well as “clear evidence of segregation” with separate classrooms for boys and girls, no evidence of vetting checks carried out on staff, and no information about the whereabouts of children who studied at the school. Ofsted found timetables suggesting that teaching was going on at the school for at least 20 hours a week, as well as “clear evidence of segregation” with separate classrooms for boys and girls, no evidence of vetting checks carried out on staff, and no information about the whereabouts of children who studied at the school.
In response, Morgan said: “I am extremely concerned by the issues raised by Ofsted. “We understand Bordesley has now closed and are keeping in close contact with Birmingham local authority as they work to urgently ensure the children involved are safe and are receiving suitable education. “We are considering Ofsted’s recommendations and will not hesitate to pursue prosecutions where necessary. I welcome Ofsted’s agreement to work closely on this.” In response, Morgan said: “I am extremely concerned by the issues raised by Ofsted. We understand Bordesley has now closed and are keeping in close contact with Birmingham local authority as they work to urgently ensure the children involved are safe and are receiving suitable education. “We are considering Ofsted’s recommendations and will not hesitate to pursue prosecutions where necessary. I welcome Ofsted’s agreement to work closely on this.”
Birmingham city council confirmed that the school, named as Bordesley Independent School in Doris Road, east Birmingham, has now been closed. Birmingham city council confirmed that the school, named as Bordesley Independent School, has been closed.
“While our findings in respect of unregistered schools, and particularly Bordesley, are deeply worrying, my regional directors continue to express concern that there are far greater numbers of children hidden away from view in unregistered schools across the country,” Wilshaw said.
“Local authority officers acknowledge the problem, but too often use the excuse of bureaucracy, legislation or lack of resources as a reason for inaction. I remain particularly concerned about the lack of action taken in response to these issues by Birmingham city council.”
Wilshaw told Morgan that the DfE’s arrangements for safeguarding children in unregistered schools needed to be urgently reviewed home schooling regulations examined to ensure that they cannot be exploited by illegal school operators.
“From conversations with some of the children and young people my inspectors spoke to, there is evidence to suggest some of these schools are using the freedoms afforded to genuine home educators as a cover for their activities,” Wilshaw noted.
Related: ‘Radicalisation risk’ at six Muslim schools in LondonRelated: ‘Radicalisation risk’ at six Muslim schools in London
Under law, private schools must be registered and inspected, although few regulations apply to “home study groups” or private homework clubs. Wilshaw said in his letter: “While our findings in respect of unregistered schools, and particularly Bordesley, are deeply worrying, my regional directors continue to express concern that there are far greater numbers of children hidden away from view in unregistered schools across the country.
David Cameron raised the issue of regulating so-called “supplementary schools” during his speech to the Conservative party conference last month, although operating an unregulated school is already illegal. “Local authority officers acknowledge the problem, but too often use the excuse of bureaucracy, legislation or lack of resources as a reason for inaction. I remain particularly concerned about the lack of action taken in response to these issues by Birmingham city council.”
“Since 2010 we have taken robust steps to tackle unregistered schools and improve safeguarding. However we agree with Sir Michael that more needs to be done,” Morgan said in a statement. Wilshaw told Morgan that the DfE’s arrangements for safeguarding children in unregistered schools needed to be urgently reviewed and home schooling regulations examined to ensure they cannot be exploited by illegal school operators.
“We will introduce further powers to regulate settings which teach children intensively and to intervene and impose sanctions where there are safety or welfare concerns. We will be consulting on these proposals shortly.” “From conversations with some of the children and young people my inspectors spoke to, there is evidence to suggest some of these schools are using the freedoms afforded to genuine home educators as a cover for their activities,” he noted.
By law, private schools must be registered and inspected, although few regulations apply to “home study groups” or private tuition clubs. David Cameron raised the issue of regulating so-called “supplementary schools” during his speech to the Conservative party conference last month.