According to an anonymous source, an excellent state-run high school and several independent Muslim faith schools located in London’s East end will receive criticism for their shortcomings in safeguarding. The Guardian learned that Ofsted inspectors identified various issues regarding pupil protection from extremism, which will lead to their branded inadequacy. At one school, sixth-form students reportedly posted extremist links via a Facebook site related to the school. Similarly, a separate entrance for boys and girls was discovered at the school, which the institution explained was a traditional and historical arrangement from the 1990s. Chief inspector at Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, will publish the watchdog’s findings and review of snap inspections concerning eight Tower Hamlets school in an advisory letter on Friday to Education Secretary Nicky Morgan. On the same day, the Department for Education will release its response to the report. Ofsted further highlighted that the secondary school, Sir John Cass in Stepney, had a history of inappropriately reacting to significant issues. The school has now been categorized as inadequate and placed in special measures by Ofsted. However, Robert McCulloch-Graham, education director at Tower Hamlets council, noted that while the school’s rating had reduced due to issues around safeguarding and management, the school should not be disregarded since previous results and educational experience improved its standing in other ways. McCulloch-Graham accepted that Ofsted was justified in criticizing the school and indicated that the council would provide support to improve the school’s rating immediately. McCulloch-Graham added that the Facebook page was created by sixth-formers but emphasized that the school should have been quick to mitigate the negative influences that it had brought to bear on students. A second state-run school, Marner Primary in Bow, was complimented by Ofsted for promoting British values, as required under new government standards. Following the recent incident, six independent Muslim schools in the area, including academically successful schools like the Jamiatul Ummah boys school in Shadwell, were also inspected and given action plans by Ofsted to improve safeguarding and other areas.
School is the path, not the point.
