School is Under Investigation
The education trust which runs the schools at the centre of the Trojan Horse plot has stated that the trust has become a “witch-hunt.”
David Hughes, one of the trustee’s at Park View School Academy based in Alum Rock, said the recent inspection which was carried out by Ofstead “gave every indication of having no wish other than to condemn the school – even the outstanding features”.
Since news of the plot has emerged the school has been put under investigation by the Department for Education, Birmingham City Council and the Education Funding Agency.
His comments come after news emerged of Islamic extremists targeting Birmingham schools trying to oust head teachers and other members of staff, who were non Muslim, through a “dirty trick campaign” who would then be replaced by individuals placed by these extremists who were ‘sympathetic to the hard line view.’
Mr Hughes wrote an open letter directed “to all those people who appear to have joined in the witch-hunt against the most successful school of its characteristics in Birmingham under the pretext of concerns about extremism and threats to the education of pupils.”
Mr Hughes said: “Are there areas to improve at the school? Yes of course, as there are at most schools.”
“The governors had hoped the report from the initial inspection would support us with these. However, I strongly suspect that is now very unlikely.”
“The revisit of the inspection team gave every indication of having no wish other than to condemn the school – even the outstanding features.”
A spokesman for Ofsted said, “Ofsted can confirm that we are undertaking inspections of these two schools under Section 8 of the 2005 Education Act. This gives Ofsted the power to undertake an inspection where we have concerns about elements of a school or concerns have been raised with us.”
Whilst council leader for Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, said that because of “fresh concerns from a significant number of people”, the council will increase the number of people on the investigation. Writing in a letter aimed at head teachers, he said, “We owe parents and children clarity and confidence about the highest standards of governance and leadership that we expect, and that they deserve, in our city’s schools.”
