Memorandum for Education Select Committee

Birmingham “Trojan Horse” allegations: Ofsted inspections and advice note to the Secretary of State for Education

Scope of Ofsted inspection work

1. Ofsted has conducted 15 inspections in in response to a request made by the Secretary of State for Education under section 8(1) of the Education Act 2005. Ofsted had already made arrangements to conduct inspections of three other Birmingham schools prior to receipt of the request. This was because of concerns around leadership and management and/or safeguarding received by Ofsted in relation to the schools. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI), who had personal oversight of these inspections, subsequently identified a further three schools in Birmingham that, in his opinion, would benefit from inspection, bringing to 21 the total number of schools inspected.

The statutory responsibilities engaged

2. All inspections were carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 in line with Ofsted’s published guidance:‘Monitoring inspections of schools with no formal designation, with a focus on safeguarding and/or leadership and management’ Ref:130223.

3. Where evidence gathered and scrutinised during the inspection indicated that the quality of leadership and management, including governance, was inadequate, inspectors considered whether the effectiveness of the provision as a whole was inadequate. In such circumstances the inspectors can use powers available to HMCI under section 9 of the Education Act 2005 to treat the inspection as if it were an inspection under section 5 of that Act. In such circumstances, following inspection, a section 5 inspection report is published covering the full inspection evaluation schedule and reporting on the school’s overall effectiveness Ref:130223.

Number of staff involved

4. There were 21 of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) involved in the 21 inspections. Some HMI were involved in more than one inspection. There was an Additional Inspector involved in two of the inspections.

5. HMCI spent a week in Birmingham speaking to a number of headteachers (past and present), officers of the Local Authority and its CEO.

6. HMI involved in the inspections attended training led by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors with expertise in issues related to radicalisation and extremism.

7. Ofsted’s Director of Schools and the Regional Director for the took responsibility for the quality assurance of the inspections.

8. A team of nine HMI were involved in moderating several of the reports. The team were led by a Senior HMI from another region who had no previous involvement in any of the 21 schools inspected.

9. All inspection reports were signed off by HMCI.

Inspection reports and Advice Note to the Secretary of State

10. All 21 inspection reports have been quality assured and were shared confidentially with schools. The reports will be published on 9 June 2014.

11. An advice note to the Secretary of State outlining Ofsted’s inspection findings will be published on 9 June 2014.

12. Ofsted is very aware of the concerns around the issues being raised in this area and will be undertaking further inspections where there are allegations about safeguarding and poor governance. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector will, of course, be able to answer questions on these matters next time he appears before the Committee.

13. Schools inspected:

Park View School Academy of Mathematics and Science Golden Hillock School – A Park View Academy Nansen Primary School – A Park View Academy Oldknow Academy Saltley School and Specialist Science College Alston Primary School Highfield Junior and Infant School Chillwell Croft Academy Montgomery Primary Academy Shaw Primary School Heathfield Primary School Regents Park Community Primary School Adderley Primary School Welford Primary School Ladypool Primary School Marlborough Junior School Gracelands Nursery School Waverley School – An Academy Small Heath School

Steps taken to ensure co-ordination with other investigations

14. Ofsted is engaging in on-going dialogue and, where appropriate and lawful to do so, sharing inspection evidence with all of the other investigations underway, including specifically with:

. Peter Clarke, Education Commissioner, appointed by the Secretary of State for Education; . the Department for Education including the Due Diligence and Counter Extremism Division; . Ian Kershaw, Independent Chief Adviser, appointed by to review the ‘Trojan Horse’ allegations;

In addition we have ensured that elected members of Birmingham City Council and all local Members of Parliament are kept informed of the progress of our work.