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Downing Street launches snap Ofsted visits after schools extremism claims 'Trojan horse' row: Downing Street launches snap Ofsted visits
(about 9 hours later)
Downing Street has ordered a system of snap inspections in response to allegations that a cluster of schools in Birmingham are under the influence of Islamist extremists.Downing Street has ordered a system of snap inspections in response to allegations that a cluster of schools in Birmingham are under the influence of Islamist extremists.
Arguing that the schools in question have been able to "cover up" because they had notice of previous inspections, David Cameron announced proposals to send Ofsted to any school without warning.Arguing that the schools in question have been able to "cover up" because they had notice of previous inspections, David Cameron announced proposals to send Ofsted to any school without warning.
The prime minister's intervention comes as Ofsted publishes a string of reports triggered by the so-called "Trojan horse" letter alleging that there had been an Islamist takeover plot to take control of community schools in Birmingham. Five Birmingham schools out of 21 inspected will be downgraded to inadequate – Ofsted's lowest rating – and placed in special measures on Monday, after what inspectors claimed was poor management and lack of attention to protecting pupils from what Ofsted will call "an awareness of the risks arising from extremism".The prime minister's intervention comes as Ofsted publishes a string of reports triggered by the so-called "Trojan horse" letter alleging that there had been an Islamist takeover plot to take control of community schools in Birmingham. Five Birmingham schools out of 21 inspected will be downgraded to inadequate – Ofsted's lowest rating – and placed in special measures on Monday, after what inspectors claimed was poor management and lack of attention to protecting pupils from what Ofsted will call "an awareness of the risks arising from extremism".
"Protecting our children is one of the first duties of government and that is why the issue of alleged Islamist extremism in Birmingham schools demands a robust response," the prime minister said."Protecting our children is one of the first duties of government and that is why the issue of alleged Islamist extremism in Birmingham schools demands a robust response," the prime minister said.
Cameron will chair a meeting of cabinet ministers on Monday morning to discuss the Trojan horse findings, in the wake of the public row between Michael Gove and Theresa May on the subject. Ofsted will publish the reports and then Gove will address parliament on the issue.Cameron will chair a meeting of cabinet ministers on Monday morning to discuss the Trojan horse findings, in the wake of the public row between Michael Gove and Theresa May on the subject. Ofsted will publish the reports and then Gove will address parliament on the issue.
The Guardian has also learned that the Department for Education is investigating options to radically restructure Birmingham's state schools in what would amount to a sweeping, city-wide shake-up of England's largest local authority. It could lead to all the city's schools being forced to become academies.The Guardian has also learned that the Department for Education is investigating options to radically restructure Birmingham's state schools in what would amount to a sweeping, city-wide shake-up of England's largest local authority. It could lead to all the city's schools being forced to become academies.
One source familiar with the Department for Education's thinking said that a "Louisiana solution" was among those being contemplated – a reference to the decision to transform New Orleans's failing state schools en masse into the equivalent of academies following Hurricane Katrina. Rumours of a citywide schools takeover by central government have been circulating in Birmingham for some weeks. Last month Birmingham council's chief executive, Mark Rogers, told staff that "significant structural changes" to the local authority's education department were on the cards.One source familiar with the Department for Education's thinking said that a "Louisiana solution" was among those being contemplated – a reference to the decision to transform New Orleans's failing state schools en masse into the equivalent of academies following Hurricane Katrina. Rumours of a citywide schools takeover by central government have been circulating in Birmingham for some weeks. Last month Birmingham council's chief executive, Mark Rogers, told staff that "significant structural changes" to the local authority's education department were on the cards.
The DfE has been examining its options, and is said to be struggling with legal issues, especially over the status of the existing academy schools in Birmingham.The DfE has been examining its options, and is said to be struggling with legal issues, especially over the status of the existing academy schools in Birmingham.
Ofsted has also been asked to maintain a "regular presence" in Birmingham's schools, reporting directly to the prime minister and education secretary. Gove said: "Evidence uncovered in Birmingham clearly indicates that schools have used the notice they have been given of inspections to evade proper scrutiny. Our children need to be protected in schools, kept safe from the dangers of extremism and guaranteed a broad and balanced curriculum. This change will help provide parents with the reassurance they need."Ofsted has also been asked to maintain a "regular presence" in Birmingham's schools, reporting directly to the prime minister and education secretary. Gove said: "Evidence uncovered in Birmingham clearly indicates that schools have used the notice they have been given of inspections to evade proper scrutiny. Our children need to be protected in schools, kept safe from the dangers of extremism and guaranteed a broad and balanced curriculum. This change will help provide parents with the reassurance they need."
The prime minister is keen to be seen taking the initiative after a week in which May and Gove engaged in a feud via the media over who was most to blame for failures tackling extremism. It culminated on Saturday with Gove having to apologise to Cameron, and May's special adviser, Fiona Cunningham, resigning.The prime minister is keen to be seen taking the initiative after a week in which May and Gove engaged in a feud via the media over who was most to blame for failures tackling extremism. It culminated on Saturday with Gove having to apologise to Cameron, and May's special adviser, Fiona Cunningham, resigning.
Ministers have been prompted to investigate the feasibility of Ofsted staging no-notice inspections following a report from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) into Oldknow academy in Birmingham. The EFA oversees academies, and it is publishing reports into four Birmingham academies alongside the Ofsted reports.Ministers have been prompted to investigate the feasibility of Ofsted staging no-notice inspections following a report from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) into Oldknow academy in Birmingham. The EFA oversees academies, and it is publishing reports into four Birmingham academies alongside the Ofsted reports.
It found that when staff knew inspectors were coming, a literacy lesson was replaced with a lesson on Christianity, and also that an assembly on Easter and Christianity was put on especially for the visitors. "Staff told us that they had been instructed to add Christianity to learning because of our visit," said the report, which was subsequently leaked.It found that when staff knew inspectors were coming, a literacy lesson was replaced with a lesson on Christianity, and also that an assembly on Easter and Christianity was put on especially for the visitors. "Staff told us that they had been instructed to add Christianity to learning because of our visit," said the report, which was subsequently leaked.
Gove is not proposing that all Ofsted inspections should take place with no notice. But he wants to make this a possibility, so that schools know they could face a no-notice inspection at any time. Currently the normal notice period for an Ofsted inspection is half a day, and only schools rated inadequate for behaviour face inspection with no notice at all.Gove is not proposing that all Ofsted inspections should take place with no notice. But he wants to make this a possibility, so that schools know they could face a no-notice inspection at any time. Currently the normal notice period for an Ofsted inspection is half a day, and only schools rated inadequate for behaviour face inspection with no notice at all.
Wilshaw is also to make a public statement on the Birmingham affair and to respond to criticism that Ofsted inspectors have discriminated against Muslim-dominated schools by applying a test of "Britishness" not applied to other schools.Wilshaw is also to make a public statement on the Birmingham affair and to respond to criticism that Ofsted inspectors have discriminated against Muslim-dominated schools by applying a test of "Britishness" not applied to other schools.
One of the schools to be condemned by Ofsted includes the academically high-flying Park View school in Alum Rock, one of the Muslim-majority suburbs and areas of Birmingham. Previously rated as outstanding, Ofsted inspectors called its management and pupil safety inadequate.One of the schools to be condemned by Ofsted includes the academically high-flying Park View school in Alum Rock, one of the Muslim-majority suburbs and areas of Birmingham. Previously rated as outstanding, Ofsted inspectors called its management and pupil safety inadequate.
In Birmingham the affair has seen the formation of an organisation named Hands off Birmingham Schools, headed by the former Respect leader and city councillor Salma Yaqoob, which plans a series of public meetings and hopes to draw in union and community involvement.In Birmingham the affair has seen the formation of an organisation named Hands off Birmingham Schools, headed by the former Respect leader and city councillor Salma Yaqoob, which plans a series of public meetings and hopes to draw in union and community involvement.
"We firmly believe these Ofsted reports are politically motivated. Our children have been subjected to deeply intrusive repeated Ofsted inspections whilst undergoing Sats and preparing for their GCSEs," the group said in a statement."We firmly believe these Ofsted reports are politically motivated. Our children have been subjected to deeply intrusive repeated Ofsted inspections whilst undergoing Sats and preparing for their GCSEs," the group said in a statement.
Several schools at the centre of the takeover row, such as Park View and Golden Hillock secondary schools, are already academies, and are likely to take legal action, including possible judicial review, to challenge Ofsted's rulings. But any decision to alter the Birmingham network of state schools – by converting them into academies and splitting them up between a series of academy trusts from inside and outside the city – would have huge implications.Several schools at the centre of the takeover row, such as Park View and Golden Hillock secondary schools, are already academies, and are likely to take legal action, including possible judicial review, to challenge Ofsted's rulings. But any decision to alter the Birmingham network of state schools – by converting them into academies and splitting them up between a series of academy trusts from inside and outside the city – would have huge implications.
The DfE's initial plan is to replace the legal management and school leadership of at least five of the schools at the centre of the row prompted by the publication of the Trojan horse letter this year, which first outlined the alleged plot.The DfE's initial plan is to replace the legal management and school leadership of at least five of the schools at the centre of the row prompted by the publication of the Trojan horse letter this year, which first outlined the alleged plot.
Although the letter is thought to be a hoax, it has raised fears that several state schools in Birmingham have become dominated by religious conservatives, and caused Gove to order three investigations, as well as a fourth by Birmingham city council.Although the letter is thought to be a hoax, it has raised fears that several state schools in Birmingham have become dominated by religious conservatives, and caused Gove to order three investigations, as well as a fourth by Birmingham city council.
Several of the schools are preparing a detailed defence of the claims made by Ofsted's inspectors. Park View school, for example, denies Ofsted's claim it failed to prepare students "for life in wider society". It said Park View was a registered Scouts centre and participated in the Duke of Edinburgh awards. The school also organises trips to France as well as to local museums and concerts by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.Several of the schools are preparing a detailed defence of the claims made by Ofsted's inspectors. Park View school, for example, denies Ofsted's claim it failed to prepare students "for life in wider society". It said Park View was a registered Scouts centre and participated in the Duke of Edinburgh awards. The school also organises trips to France as well as to local museums and concerts by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.