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Books 'promoting stoning' found at Olive Tree Primary School Books 'promoting stoning' found at Olive Tree Primary School
(about 2 hours later)
A Muslim school in Luton does not "promote tolerance" and has books suggesting stoning and lashing as appropriate punishments, Ofsted said. A Muslim school found to have books suggesting stoning and lashing as appropriate punishments says it is the victim of "hostility".
Inspectors said some of the library books contained fundamentalist views and punishments which have "no place in British society". Ofsted said some of the library books at Olive Tree Primary School in Luton contained fundamentalist views which had "no place in British society".
The education watchdog deemed Olive Tree Primary School in Bury Park Road "inadequate" following a visit in May.The education watchdog deemed Olive Tree Primary School in Bury Park Road "inadequate" following a visit in May.
The school has yet to comment but earlier asked for a new inspection. Farasat Latif, chairman of governors, said he rejected Ofsted's findings.
Last month's inspection was abandoned when parents complained their children had been asked about homosexuality.Last month's inspection was abandoned when parents complained their children had been asked about homosexuality.
'Too limited' But Ofsted said it had already gained "sufficient evidence" to produce a report.
But the body said it had already gained "sufficient evidence" to produce a report.
Inspectors said pupils' "contact with different cultures, faiths and traditions is too limited to promote tolerance and respect for the views, lifestyles and customs of other people".Inspectors said pupils' "contact with different cultures, faiths and traditions is too limited to promote tolerance and respect for the views, lifestyles and customs of other people".
Senior leaders do not ensure "balanced views of the world" and some books in the school promote stoning and lashing as appropriate punishments, the report added.Senior leaders do not ensure "balanced views of the world" and some books in the school promote stoning and lashing as appropriate punishments, the report added.
"There are too few books about the world's major religions other than Islam," it said."There are too few books about the world's major religions other than Islam," it said.
In addition, too little teaching is good enough to ensure that pupils make the best progress they can, the report said. But Mr Latif said: "Ofsted came into the school looking for problems of extremism and intolerance and didn't find any," he said. "They carried out a half-baked inspection, which they abandoned half-way through.
However, inspectors did report that Year 6 pupils reached the "expected level" in national tests, Arabic teaching was "effective" and pupils "behaved well". "We are the victims of the extreme politics of Michael Gove whose ignorance of Islam is matched by his hostility. Many Muslims will feel alienated and victims of state Islamaphobia.
'Tough action' "We are a small school with 65 children and got 100 per cent on our SATS last year. We are involved with charities, like Dr Barnados which is not a Muslim charity."
He said the school was considering taking legal action against the report. They were waiting to hear if it is to be put into special measures.
Mr Latif said: "We have a large number of books about different faiths, which inspectors failed to to notice, including The Diary of Ann Frank."
The school must now act to meet key standards for independent schools.The school must now act to meet key standards for independent schools.
These include ensuring the curriculum "better prepares [pupils] for living in modern Britain... in line with the laws of the land" and having library books with "balanced and tolerant views which reflect British democratic values".These include ensuring the curriculum "better prepares [pupils] for living in modern Britain... in line with the laws of the land" and having library books with "balanced and tolerant views which reflect British democratic values".
Chair of governors, Farasat Latif, previously said it would seek legal action unless a new report is carried out.
A Department for Education spokesman said all schools should "promote tolerance and harmony between different cultures".
"We asked Ofsted to carry out an inspection at Olive Tree and they found they are not meeting this requirement," the spokesman said. "We now require the school to produce an action plan to address these issues and ensure it meets the Independent School Standards.
"We will monitor progress closely and, as we have repeatedly demonstrated in all types of school, will not hesitate to take tough action if required."
The report's findings come on the same day the head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw delivered his findings on claims of hardline Muslim takeovers at Birmingham schools with five of the schools being placed in special measures.The report's findings come on the same day the head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw delivered his findings on claims of hardline Muslim takeovers at Birmingham schools with five of the schools being placed in special measures.