Teachers: Ofsted ‘dropped the ball on Trojan schools’

The NASUWTwas responding to today’s report from Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw that “a culture of fear and intimidation has taken grip" in some Birmingham schools.

He said there was evidence of an "organised campaign to target certain schools" by Muslim extremists.

The union also said that “amidst the feeding frenzy of leaked reports, numerous investigations, politicians taking chunks out of each other and months of rumour and speculation, what has been forgotten is that in the middle of all this are teachers trying their best to support children and young people, many of whom are taking critical exams”.

Five schools in Birmingham – called “Trojan Horse” schools by the media - including three academies will now be placed in special measures.

“The NASUWTwill be studying the Ofsted reports in detail. Our priority is to support our members who are under great pressure and stress,” said General Secretary Chris Keates.

“Whatever the findings of those reports, what is absolutely clear is that they must not be allowed to make schools carry the can for what are the clear failures of Ofsted and government.

“Ofsted dropped the ball when it stopped inspecting how schools tackle race equality and when it was no longer required to inspect how schools meet their duty with regard to community cohesion.

“The government has fragmented the school system, removed local democratic accountability and has conferred excessive school autonomy onto a school governance system that it is widely accepted is not fit for purpose.

“It is this which needs to be accepted and addressed. It is unacceptable for children and staff to continue to pay the price and for local communities to be scapegoated and pilloried.”

In a statement to MPs, education secretary Michael Gove said he had not been told about a meeting in 2010 in his department where headteacher Tim Boyes warned that Muslim extremists were trying to ‘take over’ Birmingham state schools.