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Super-heads approached to run Birmingham schools Super-heads approached to run Birmingham schools
(about 4 hours later)
Super-heads could take over running clusters of schools in Birmingham, as the government considers its response to allegations of extremism.Super-heads could take over running clusters of schools in Birmingham, as the government considers its response to allegations of extremism.
It would mean some schools being taken from council control and being converted to academies.It would mean some schools being taken from council control and being converted to academies.
There are four investigations examining "Trojan Horse" claims that groups of hardline Muslims have been trying to take over schools in the city.There are four investigations examining "Trojan Horse" claims that groups of hardline Muslims have been trying to take over schools in the city.
A government source says that no options have been ruled in or out.A government source says that no options have been ruled in or out.
The trust which runs one school, Park View, issued a statement on Thursday dismissing claims of extremism as false.The trust which runs one school, Park View, issued a statement on Thursday dismissing claims of extremism as false.
School takeoversSchool takeovers
The education watchdog Ofsted and the Department for Education are expected to deliver reports on the next steps for schools which have faced these allegations.The education watchdog Ofsted and the Department for Education are expected to deliver reports on the next steps for schools which have faced these allegations.
It is understood that ministers have approached heads of successful schools and academy trusts about taking over other schools where there have been concerns.It is understood that ministers have approached heads of successful schools and academy trusts about taking over other schools where there have been concerns.
This could include taking schools away from local authority control, converting them into academies - directly funded by central government - and putting them under the leadership of high-achieving head teachers.This could include taking schools away from local authority control, converting them into academies - directly funded by central government - and putting them under the leadership of high-achieving head teachers.
Groups of outstanding schools like the Perry Beeches chain in Birmingham may have a role.Groups of outstanding schools like the Perry Beeches chain in Birmingham may have a role.
As some of the schools caught up in the Trojan Horse claims are already academies, it could mean schools being reassigned to other academy trusts.As some of the schools caught up in the Trojan Horse claims are already academies, it could mean schools being reassigned to other academy trusts.
Before the Trojan Horse claims, Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw had spoken publicly of his belief that the local authority might need to be broken up.Before the Trojan Horse claims, Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw had spoken publicly of his belief that the local authority might need to be broken up.
Birmingham is the biggest local authority in England - and it is believed that private soundings have shown it would be difficult to find a private sector contractor willing or able to take on the running of such a wide range of services.Birmingham is the biggest local authority in England - and it is believed that private soundings have shown it would be difficult to find a private sector contractor willing or able to take on the running of such a wide range of services.
But another option would be for some or all of the council's education and children's services to be hived off to an independent trust.But another option would be for some or all of the council's education and children's services to be hived off to an independent trust.
This model has been used before where central government believed there was a need for radical intervention - such as in Hackney in London.This model has been used before where central government believed there was a need for radical intervention - such as in Hackney in London.
'No extremism''No extremism'
Birmingham City Council's chief executive, Mark Rogers, was recorded at a meeting with school representatives last week, where he warned of a "firestorm" when the Ofsted reports were published, and telling his audience to prepare for "significant structural changes" within the education department.Birmingham City Council's chief executive, Mark Rogers, was recorded at a meeting with school representatives last week, where he warned of a "firestorm" when the Ofsted reports were published, and telling his audience to prepare for "significant structural changes" within the education department.
The investigations into extremism in Birmingham schools had been sparked by an anonymous and unverified letter claiming that there was a "Trojan Horse" conspiracy by a group wanting to impose a more hardline Muslim agenda on schools in the city.The investigations into extremism in Birmingham schools had been sparked by an anonymous and unverified letter claiming that there was a "Trojan Horse" conspiracy by a group wanting to impose a more hardline Muslim agenda on schools in the city.
This included claims that head teachers were being replaced with staff who were more likely to be sympathetic to these religious beliefs.This included claims that head teachers were being replaced with staff who were more likely to be sympathetic to these religious beliefs.
The authenticity of the letter has been disputed, but the National Association of Head Teachers says there seem to have been "concerted efforts" to take over six schools in Birmingham.The authenticity of the letter has been disputed, but the National Association of Head Teachers says there seem to have been "concerted efforts" to take over six schools in Birmingham.
However, claims of extremism have been categorically denied by Tahir Alam, chairman of governors at Park View School.However, claims of extremism have been categorically denied by Tahir Alam, chairman of governors at Park View School.
And the Park View Educational Trust issued a statement arguing that the response to the letter had created a climate which encouraged false allegations.And the Park View Educational Trust issued a statement arguing that the response to the letter had created a climate which encouraged false allegations.
The claims about religious extremism were driven by "the settling of political scores" and disgruntled former staff, the trust argues.The claims about religious extremism were driven by "the settling of political scores" and disgruntled former staff, the trust argues.
"Our assemblies, or acts of worship, are used to focus on the spiritual and moral development of pupils and are relevant to their school and home lives," said the statement from Park View."Our assemblies, or acts of worship, are used to focus on the spiritual and moral development of pupils and are relevant to their school and home lives," said the statement from Park View.
"This includes looking at the common values of kindness, mercy and forgiveness and talking to students about studying hard, and being a good friend.""This includes looking at the common values of kindness, mercy and forgiveness and talking to students about studying hard, and being a good friend."
Do you live in the Birmingham area? Do you have children who attend the affected schools? You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Birmingham trojan schools'