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Extremist 'takeovers' in Birmingham schools? Extremist 'takeovers' in Birmingham schools?
(about 2 hours later)
There are now four inquiries and a former counter-terrorism chief is investigating. What was the starting point for claims that Birmingham schools were being "taken over" by groups of Muslim extremists?There are now four inquiries and a former counter-terrorism chief is investigating. What was the starting point for claims that Birmingham schools were being "taken over" by groups of Muslim extremists?
In March, an anonymous letter was made public which claimed to be a template illustrating how state schools could be taken over and pushed into adopting a more Islamic culture.In March, an anonymous letter was made public which claimed to be a template illustrating how state schools could be taken over and pushed into adopting a more Islamic culture.
It proposed a campaign of installing governors and undermining and then replacing school leaders with staff who would be more sympathetic to their religious agenda.It proposed a campaign of installing governors and undermining and then replacing school leaders with staff who would be more sympathetic to their religious agenda.
It was intended for schools serving areas with a large Muslim population.It was intended for schools serving areas with a large Muslim population.
And it suggested that these tactics had already been used in Birmingham.And it suggested that these tactics had already been used in Birmingham.
It emerged that Birmingham City Council, the Department for Education's Extremist Unit, the West Midlands Police Counter-Terrorism Unit and the National Association of Head Teachers were already aware of the letter.It emerged that Birmingham City Council, the Department for Education's Extremist Unit, the West Midlands Police Counter-Terrorism Unit and the National Association of Head Teachers were already aware of the letter.
A former head teacher at a Birmingham school said that such religiously-motivated, concerted attempts at forcing out heads had been taking place since the 1990s.A former head teacher at a Birmingham school said that such religiously-motivated, concerted attempts at forcing out heads had been taking place since the 1990s.
Why has it become known as the Trojan horse plot?Why has it become known as the Trojan horse plot?
The letter - which has not been authenticated and which could be a provocative hoax - refers to "Operation Trojan Horse". This classical allusion refers to using a device to get past the defences and to take over the school system from within.The letter - which has not been authenticated and which could be a provocative hoax - refers to "Operation Trojan Horse". This classical allusion refers to using a device to get past the defences and to take over the school system from within.
The city council said it was "hugely difficult to investigate" - when it was not clear whether the letter was from a whistleblower revealing important information about extremism or a hoaxer trying to harm community relations.The city council said it was "hugely difficult to investigate" - when it was not clear whether the letter was from a whistleblower revealing important information about extremism or a hoaxer trying to harm community relations.
A chair of governors at one of the schools involved described the reaction to this letter as a "witch hunt".A chair of governors at one of the schools involved described the reaction to this letter as a "witch hunt".
What are the claims about what's happening in schools?What are the claims about what's happening in schools?
There have been claims that boys and girls are being taught separately, assemblies have put forward extremist Islamist views and that a culture is created in which other religions are downgraded. Schools have rejected claims of extremism.There have been claims that boys and girls are being taught separately, assemblies have put forward extremist Islamist views and that a culture is created in which other religions are downgraded. Schools have rejected claims of extremism.
There are also claims that teachers and head teachers have been discredited and undermined.There are also claims that teachers and head teachers have been discredited and undermined.
How seriously are claims of takeover plots being taken?How seriously are claims of takeover plots being taken?
Education Secretary Michael Gove says he is "extremely concerned by the allegations" and has appointed former counter-terror chief, Peter Clarke, to investigate whether there is any substance to the claims.Education Secretary Michael Gove says he is "extremely concerned by the allegations" and has appointed former counter-terror chief, Peter Clarke, to investigate whether there is any substance to the claims.
"No pupils should be exposed to extremist views or radicalisation while at school," says Mr Gove."No pupils should be exposed to extremist views or radicalisation while at school," says Mr Gove.
This appointment has created a controversy of its own, with the chief constable of West Midlands police calling it "desperately unfortunate" as people could draw "unwarranted conclusions" from Mr Clarke's former role in counter terrorism.
Khalid Mahmood, MP for Perry Barr, believes there are reasons to be concerned. "All the information I'm getting... is there has been a serious bid to take over most of the schools in the east and south of the city," he said.Khalid Mahmood, MP for Perry Barr, believes there are reasons to be concerned. "All the information I'm getting... is there has been a serious bid to take over most of the schools in the east and south of the city," he said.
The National Association of Head Teachers says it takes the claims "extremely seriously".The National Association of Head Teachers says it takes the claims "extremely seriously".
How is it being investigated?How is it being investigated?
This has grown and grown. There are now at least four investigations - carried out by Ofsted, Birmingham City Council, the Department for Education and the Education Funding Agency.This has grown and grown. There are now at least four investigations - carried out by Ofsted, Birmingham City Council, the Department for Education and the Education Funding Agency.
Ofsted says that this is "new territory" - launching its biggest ever co-ordinated set of inspections over fears of extremism. It has inspected 18 schools - a mix of primary, secondary, local authority and academies.Ofsted says that this is "new territory" - launching its biggest ever co-ordinated set of inspections over fears of extremism. It has inspected 18 schools - a mix of primary, secondary, local authority and academies.
They have carried out unannounced inspections of a type which focuses on a single concern, rather than the overall quality of teaching and learning.They have carried out unannounced inspections of a type which focuses on a single concern, rather than the overall quality of teaching and learning.
If inspectors do not like what they find they have wide-ranging powers to intervene and order a change of direction.If inspectors do not like what they find they have wide-ranging powers to intervene and order a change of direction.
The city council says that it is investigating 25 schools - prompted by more than 200 contacts from the public. An adviser has been appointed and there will be a review group of MPs, councillors, teachers' organisations, police and faith leaders.The city council says that it is investigating 25 schools - prompted by more than 200 contacts from the public. An adviser has been appointed and there will be a review group of MPs, councillors, teachers' organisations, police and faith leaders.
There is a freeze on recruiting new school governors while this inquiry is taking place.There is a freeze on recruiting new school governors while this inquiry is taking place.
But the politics of education have also become involved, with the council saying it is frustrated that it cannot investigate academies which operate outside of local authority control.But the politics of education have also become involved, with the council saying it is frustrated that it cannot investigate academies which operate outside of local authority control.
The Education Funding Agency can investigate the financial arrangements of academies.The Education Funding Agency can investigate the financial arrangements of academies.
The Department for Education prompted 15 of the Ofsted inspections and says it is "investigating all evidence put to us in conjunction with Ofsted, Birmingham City Council and the police".The Department for Education prompted 15 of the Ofsted inspections and says it is "investigating all evidence put to us in conjunction with Ofsted, Birmingham City Council and the police".
The initial reports from these inspections and inquiries are expected to begin appearing early next month. The council's full report will be published in July.The initial reports from these inspections and inquiries are expected to begin appearing early next month. The council's full report will be published in July.
How widespread is this problem?How widespread is this problem?
The biggest inquiry so far is the council's, which is looking at 25 schools in Birmingham, out of more than 400 in the city. The council says that it will also be talking to local authorities in Bradford and Manchester.The biggest inquiry so far is the council's, which is looking at 25 schools in Birmingham, out of more than 400 in the city. The council says that it will also be talking to local authorities in Bradford and Manchester.
Have any of the schools involved responded?Have any of the schools involved responded?
Park View School, the most high-profile of the schools caught up in these claims, has strongly rejected the allegations.Park View School, the most high-profile of the schools caught up in these claims, has strongly rejected the allegations.
The chair of governors, Tahir Alam, dismissed the "ridiculous assertions" and said this was a media-generated "frenzy".The chair of governors, Tahir Alam, dismissed the "ridiculous assertions" and said this was a media-generated "frenzy".
Another governor, described as a practising Anglican, wrote in a newsletter to parents that there was no radicalism or extremism and the school was being attacked with "fictitious accounts".Another governor, described as a practising Anglican, wrote in a newsletter to parents that there was no radicalism or extremism and the school was being attacked with "fictitious accounts".