Schools inspectorate Ofsted have published a letter from their chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw to the education secretary Michael Gove outlining the results of inspections into 21 schools in Birmingham, some of which WIlshaw describes as developing "a culture of fear and intimidation."
Publication of the letter and its accompanying reports follow weeks of speculation and allegations about a supposed attempt by Islamist extremists to infiltrate some of the schools. The row began in March when an anonymous letter was made public, alleging a group of conservative Muslims was attempting to usurp school governing bodies in the city.
The main findings are below, read the full letter here.
Main findings:
"A culture of fear and intimidation has developed in some of the schools since their previous inspection. Some headteachers, including those with a proud record of raising standards, said that they have been marginalised or forced out of their jobs. As a result, some schools previously judged to be good or outstanding have experienced high levels of staff turbulence, low staff morale and a rapid decline in their overall effectiveness."
"Some headteachers reported that there has been an organised campaign to target certain schools in Birmingham in order to alter their character and ethos."
"The evidence shows that governors have recently exerted inappropriate influence on policy and the day-to-day running of several schools in Birmingham. In other schools, leaders have struggled to resist attempts by governing bodies to use their powers to change the school in line with governors’ personal views."
"Birmingham City Council has failed to support a number of schools in their efforts to keep pupils safe from the potential risks of radicalisation and extremism. It has not dealt adequately with complaints from headteachers about the conduct of governors."
"Her Majesty’s Inspectors identified breaches of funding agreements in a number of academies."
"In several of the schools inspected, children are being badly prepared for life in modern Britain."
Publication of the letter and its accompanying reports follow weeks of speculation and allegations about a supposed attempt by Islamist extremists to infiltrate some of the schools. The row began in March when an anonymous letter was made public, alleging a group of conservative Muslims was attempting to usurp school governing bodies in the city.
The main findings are below, read the full letter here.
Main findings:
"A culture of fear and intimidation has developed in some of the schools since their previous inspection. Some headteachers, including those with a proud record of raising standards, said that they have been marginalised or forced out of their jobs. As a result, some schools previously judged to be good or outstanding have experienced high levels of staff turbulence, low staff morale and a rapid decline in their overall effectiveness."
"Some headteachers reported that there has been an organised campaign to target certain schools in Birmingham in order to alter their character and ethos."
"The evidence shows that governors have recently exerted inappropriate influence on policy and the day-to-day running of several schools in Birmingham. In other schools, leaders have struggled to resist attempts by governing bodies to use their powers to change the school in line with governors’ personal views."
"Birmingham City Council has failed to support a number of schools in their efforts to keep pupils safe from the potential risks of radicalisation and extremism. It has not dealt adequately with complaints from headteachers about the conduct of governors."
"Her Majesty’s Inspectors identified breaches of funding agreements in a number of academies."
"In several of the schools inspected, children are being badly prepared for life in modern Britain."
