Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Ofsted chief threatened over crackdown on illegal Muslim schools

Britain's chief inspector of schools has claimed to have received "pretty venomous" threats from extremists following a crackdown on illegal Muslim schools accused of "undermining British values".

Amanda Spielman, the chief of the Ofsted -- the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills -- earlier this week released an annual report, warning that "a rising number of conservative religious schools were actively undermining British values and equality law".


She has been outspoken about her agenda to ensure all schools in the country follow equality laws and advocate British values.

She revealed that her clampdown against dubious institutions has not been received well among some hardliners, forcing one of Ofsted's regional offices even resorting to deploying extra security measures in the face of threats.

"I'm not easily bruised. I don't fall over when I see a load of nasty tweets pointed at me but there has been some pretty venomous stuff," Spielman told The Times.

"I had an email, which was the most threatening one, which was along the lines of We know where you live and we can get you any time we want to," she said.

In one instance, Ofsted inspectors were so shocked by the aggressive behaviour of staff at one unregistered Islamic school in east London that they reported them to the police.

At another independent Muslim school, the headteacher telephoned parents during the Ofsted visit to tell them that inspectors were asking their children if they were gays.

Two months ago, Ofsted had won a UK court case on appeal that allowed it to force Al-Hijrah, an Islamic school in Birmingham, to stop segregating girls and boys on religious grounds.

Another 25 mixed faith schools will have to follow suit as a result of the ruling by judges in the appeal court.

Spielman revealed that in a handful of schools, inspectors had found cases of sexist and sectarian literature.

"If we let ourselves be intimidated out of discussing these issues, its children who will suffer," she said, adding that she is determined to ensure that schoolchildren in the UK do not view British values as "meaningless".

Spielman fears that some private faith schools run by religious conservatives are "deliberately resisting" British values and equalities law, with inspectors finding texts that encouraged domestic violence, the subjugation of women and homophobia.

The Department for Education said it has changed the law and the requirements on schools "so that they have to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs".

More For You

Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India

McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017. (Photo credit: Twitter)

Man found guilty of rape and murder of Irish backpacker in India

A COURT in India has found Vikat Bhagat guilty of the rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin.

McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alderman Alastair King

King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, 'Growth Unleashed.'

Lord Mayor of London to visit India for trade talks

THE LORD MAYOR of London, Alderman Alastair King, is set to visit India for a week starting Saturday, aiming to promote free trade and capital flows between the two countries.

King, who serves as the global ambassador for the City of London, will be in Mumbai to discuss trade and investment under his mayoral theme, “Growth Unleashed.”

Keep ReadingShow less
trump-modi-washington-getty

The meeting came hours after Trump criticised India’s business environment and announced plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on US imports. (Photo: Getty Images)

Modi and Trump agree to resolve trade disputes, discuss tariff concerns

INDIA and the US have agreed to begin negotiations aimed at resolving trade and tariff disputes, following talks between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump in Washington.

India has committed to increasing purchases of US oil, gas, and defence equipment, while both sides pledged to address trade barriers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pablo-Escobar-merchandise-Getty

Escobar, killed by security forces in 1993, remains a figure of global interest, with his image appearing on souvenirs like T-shirts, mugs, and keychains. (Photo: Getty Images)

Colombia considers ban on Pablo Escobar merchandise

COLOMBIA’s Congress is considering a bill that would ban the sale of merchandise featuring drug lord Pablo Escobar and other convicted criminals.

The proposed law aims to curb the glorification of Escobar, who was responsible for thousands of deaths during his time leading the Medellín cartel, reported BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Polls show most Britons back assisted dying, with supporters calling for the law to reflect public opinion.

Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Eastern Eye

THE proposed new assisted dying law for terminally ill people will be amended to remove the requirement that a high court judge sign off on each case, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said on Tuesday (11).

Opponents of assisted dying said the change would weaken the safeguards around protecting vulnerable people from being coerced or pressured into taking their own lives.

Keep ReadingShow less