This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/nov/21/ofsted-chief-pupils-east-london-faith-schools-risk-radicalisation

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ofsted chief: pupils at east London faith schools at risk of radicalisation Ofsted chief: pupils at east London faith schools at risk of radicalisation
(about 3 hours later)
Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of schools, has said pupils at independent Muslim faith schools in Tower Hamlets “may be vulnerable to extremist influences and radicalisation” and called on the government to act with urgency. Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of schools, has said pupils at independent Muslim faith schools in Tower Hamlets may be vulnerable to “extremist influences and radicalisation” and called on the government to act with urgency.
Wilshaw’s advice note to education secretary Nicky Morgan on Friday follows Ofsted inspections last month of six independent schools in the east London borough, as well as Sir John Cass school, a state secondary. All seven schools were judged to be inadequate by inspectors. Wilshaw’s advice note to the education secretary, Nicky Morgan, on Friday follows Ofsted inspections last month of six independent schools in the east London borough, as well as Sir John Cass school, a state secondary. All seven schools were judged to be inadequate or failing by inspectors.
At Sir John Cass, inspectors criticised the school for not acting more quickly over social media and internet activity. “These sites include links to individuals associated with extremist views and actions. They also include messages to discourage students from attending school events, such as a fundraising karaoke evening, because the activities do not adhere to a particular religious viewpoint.At Sir John Cass, inspectors criticised the school for not acting more quickly over social media and internet activity. “These sites include links to individuals associated with extremist views and actions. They also include messages to discourage students from attending school events, such as a fundraising karaoke evening, because the activities do not adhere to a particular religious viewpoint.
“One posting states that any sixth form students who attended a ‘leavers’ party’ and engaged in ‘free-mixing’ or ‘listening to music’ would face ‘severe consequences later’. A further uploaded video included a speaker who mocked perceived ‘feminine’ behaviour in men.” “One posting states that any sixth-form students who attended a ‘leavers’ party’ and engaged in ‘free-mixing’ or ‘listening to music’ would face ‘severe consequences later’. A further uploaded video included a speaker who mocked perceived ‘feminine’ behaviour in men.”
The six schools are Ebrahim Academy, the East London Islamic School, Jamiatul Ummah boys’ school and Mazahirul Uloom, and two affiliated with the East London Mosque: London East Academy and the Al-Mizan primary school. In the six independent schools, Wilshaw said inspectors had serious concerns over the safeguarding and welfare of pupils, while pupils were “not provided with an appropriately broad and balanced curriculum”. In all six cases, teaching, pupil achievement, leadership and governance were judged to be inadequate.
The Department for Education is expected to publish its response to Wilshaw’s letter later on Friday, which is likely to reignite the controversy over safeguarding and British values that began during the alleged Trojan horse plot in Birmingham earlier this year. The six schools inspected were Ebrahim Academy, the East London Islamic school, Jamiatul Ummah boys’ school and Mazahirul Uloom, and two schools affiliated with the East London Mosque: London East Academy and the Al-Mizan primary school.
In the six independent schools, Wilshaw said that inspectors had serious concerns over the safeguarding and welfare of pupils, while pupils were “not provided with an appropriately broad and balanced curriculum”. In all six cases, teaching, pupil achievement, leadership and governance were judged to be inadequate. In his advice note, Wilshaw said: “I am extremely concerned about the large number of failings in each of the six independent schools inspected. I am not convinced that the leaders of these schools have sufficient capacity to bring about the necessary improvements to safeguarding, the curriculum and the quality of teaching and learning. I believe that, in all six schools, pupils’ physical and educational welfare is at serious risk.
In his letter to Morgan, Wilshaw said: “I am extremely concerned about the large number of failings in each of the six independent schools inspected. I am not convinced that the leaders of these schools have sufficient capacity to bring about the necessary improvements to safeguarding, the curriculum and the quality of teaching and learning. I believe that, in all six schools, pupils’ physical and educational welfare is at serious risk.
“Given the evidence gathered from these inspections, particularly in relation to the narrowness of the curriculum, I am concerned that pupils in these schools may be vulnerable to extremist influences and radicalisation.“Given the evidence gathered from these inspections, particularly in relation to the narrowness of the curriculum, I am concerned that pupils in these schools may be vulnerable to extremist influences and radicalisation.
“It is therefore my strong recommendation that you take urgent action to address the key issues highlighted in this advice note using your powers under section 165 of the Education Act 2002.”“It is therefore my strong recommendation that you take urgent action to address the key issues highlighted in this advice note using your powers under section 165 of the Education Act 2002.”
In response, Morgan said in a statement: “While there is no suggestion of a co-ordinated plot, it is clear that these schools are failing children and this is unacceptable. All schools must prepare children for life in modern Britain.
“We will now be demanding urgent action plans from the independent schools and expect to see improvements within weeks. If changes are not made then we reserve the right to force the closures of the schools involved.”
In the case of Sir John Cass, a maintained school under the auspices of Tower Hamlets local authority, inspectors downgraded the school from outstanding to inadequate and placed it in special measures.In the case of Sir John Cass, a maintained school under the auspices of Tower Hamlets local authority, inspectors downgraded the school from outstanding to inadequate and placed it in special measures.
The inspection report published on Friday said: “The school has not put in place steps to ensure that students, staff and governors understand the risks posed by extremism.”The inspection report published on Friday said: “The school has not put in place steps to ensure that students, staff and governors understand the risks posed by extremism.”
The inspectors also found: “The school’s approach to the use of playgrounds and common rooms has resulted in the separation of boys and girls when they are out of lessons. Consequently, students of different genders do not always mix together socially.” The inspectors also found that “the school’s approach to the use of playgrounds and common rooms has resulted in the separation of boys and girls when they are out of lessons. Consequently, students of different genders do not always mix together socially.”
In particular, the inspectors criticise the school’s leadership for not responding “with sufficient urgency or decisiveness to concerns brought to their attention by the police” over student activity on websites such as Facebook.In particular, the inspectors criticise the school’s leadership for not responding “with sufficient urgency or decisiveness to concerns brought to their attention by the police” over student activity on websites such as Facebook.
“This concern related to social media sites bearing the name of a school sixth form society and containing links to individuals associated with extremist activity. Senior staff and governors failed to inform students or parents of this serious concern. Neither was any information, education or training provided for students, staff, governors or parents,” the report said. “This concern related to social media sites bearing the name of a school sixth-form society and containing links to individuals associated with extremist activity. Senior staff and governors failed to inform students or parents of this serious concern. Neither was any information, education or training provided for students, staff, governors or parents,” the report said.
“Leaders have not adapted the curriculum in the sixth form to ensure that everyone is aware of such dangers. This is particularly concerning in view of the numbers of students who join the sixth form from other state-funded or independent schools.”“Leaders have not adapted the curriculum in the sixth form to ensure that everyone is aware of such dangers. This is particularly concerning in view of the numbers of students who join the sixth form from other state-funded or independent schools.”
At Ebrahim Academy, an independent secondary day school for boys with pupils of Bangladeshi and Somali heritage, inspectors said “the school does not actively and systematically promote fundamental British values. There is not a systematic plan to ensure students are taught about public institutions and services in England.”At Ebrahim Academy, an independent secondary day school for boys with pupils of Bangladeshi and Somali heritage, inspectors said “the school does not actively and systematically promote fundamental British values. There is not a systematic plan to ensure students are taught about public institutions and services in England.”
At Mazahirul Uloom School, inspectors said the school’s curriculum did not “promote students’ understanding of the fundamental British rule of law. When discussing sharia law and English law, they were unable to tell inspectors which laws they should follow, and which were more important.” At Mazahirul Uloom school, inspectors said the school’s curriculum did not “promote students’ understanding of the fundamental British rule of law. When discussing sharia law and English law, they were unable to tell inspectors which laws they should follow, and which were more important.”
Ofsted also criticised the school for not promoting respect: “For example, students presented a narrow view of the role of females in society. Some students told inspectors that ‘women stay at home and clean and look after the children. They cook and pray and wait for us to come back in from school and help with homework.’ The principal told inspectors that the school’s curriculum does not currently cover learning about those of different sexual orientations.”Ofsted also criticised the school for not promoting respect: “For example, students presented a narrow view of the role of females in society. Some students told inspectors that ‘women stay at home and clean and look after the children. They cook and pray and wait for us to come back in from school and help with homework.’ The principal told inspectors that the school’s curriculum does not currently cover learning about those of different sexual orientations.”
At Jamiatul Ummah, a small selective school for 11- to 19-year-old boys with many students from Bangladeshi backgrounds, the school’s buildings were criticised as “shabby and dirty and in need of significant repair. This also poses risks to students and to members of staff.”At Jamiatul Ummah, a small selective school for 11- to 19-year-old boys with many students from Bangladeshi backgrounds, the school’s buildings were criticised as “shabby and dirty and in need of significant repair. This also poses risks to students and to members of staff.”