Muslim faith school says Ofsted inspectors are racist
The Muslim school’s response to Ofsted criticism as reported this morning here. From the Daily Mail.
A Muslim faith school has accused Ofsted of racism after the watchdog slams posters branding music and dancing as ‘acts of the devil’.
The Darul Uloom Islamic High School said the leaflets – described by Ofsted as evidence of safeguarding weakness – were not found on its premises but at the rear door of an adjacent mosque.
And the independent school in Small Heath, Birmingham, has alleged that an Ofsted inspector angrily refused to take off their shoes during a recent inspection, describing them as ‘extremely belligerent’ throughout the visit.
Ofsted said a large pile of copies of the leaflet were found in May in areas shared by the mosque and school and used by pupils. . .
In a statement issued after Ofsted’s latest findings were published, the school – which has a music curriculum – said the leaflets had no association with the mosque or the school and had been ‘dumped’ by a member of the public. The school statement added: ‘These leaflets were not on the display board or anywhere near the display board. ‘They were clearly dumped by a member of the public, ironically next to the sign where it is clearly signposted ‘Strictly no posters or leaflets’.
‘Furthermore in regards to the inspection in question, the conduct of the Ofsted inspectors during this inspection were unacceptable and racist.’
As well as claiming that an Ofsted official refused to take off their shoes when visiting the mosque, the school alleges that its equality statement was dismissed as being ‘just a piece of paper’.
A Department for Education spokesman said it is ‘urgently investigating’ the discovery of the posters.
‘These leaflets should have no place in any school – and we will not hesitate to take strong action when schools focus on ideological indoctrination rather than a high-quality education. We are urgently investigating the concerning allegations about this school and as part of this we commissioned Ofsted to do an unannounced inspection. Extremism has no place in our society and when we find schools promoting twisted ideologies we will not hesitate to take action, including closing the school or working with the police if necessary.’