7/22/2014 BBC News - Trojan Horse: Reaction to council and government reports

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BIRMINGHAM & BLACK COUNTRY
18 July 2014 Last updated at 16:17
Trojan Horse: Reaction to council and
government reports
The findings of two reports into the "Trojan Horse" allegations of an attempted
takeover of some Birmingham schools have been published.
Peter Clarke's report, ordered by the government and leaked to The Guardian, found there
was a "co-ordinated effort" to impose an "Islamist ethos" in some schools.
A council-commissioned report by Ian Kershaw found "no evidence" of a conspiracy.
The BBC gathered a number of responses.
Mr Kershaw's report did find evidence of "key individuals" moving between schools but
stopped short of identifying an overarching plot or conspiracy.
Peter Clarke's key findings Ian Kershaw's key findings
"There has been a co-ordinated, deliberate and
sustained action carried out by a number of
associated individuals to introduce an intolerant
and aggressive Islamist ethos into a few
schools in Birmingham."
"No evidence of a conspiracy to promote an
anti-British agenda, violent extremism or
radicalisation in schools"
"I found clear evidence there are a number of
people associated with each other and in
positions of influence in schools and governing
bodies who espouse, sympathise with or fail to
challenge extremist views."
"There are a number of key individuals who are
encouraging and promoting certain Islamic
principles in schools in the Birmingham area,
and we have noted a pattern of these
individuals moving between schools in the
area."
"Whether the motivation reflects a political
agenda, a deeply held religious conviction,
personal gain or achieving influence within the
communities, the effect has been to limit the life
chances of the young people in their care and to
render them vulnerable to more pernicious
influences in the future."
"It appears that there is a genuine and
understandable desire among these groups to
improve the education and opportunities for
Muslim pupils. The desire is often coupled with
a belief that these children can only be served
by Muslim leaders and teachers."
7/22/2014 BBC News - Trojan Horse: Reaction to council and government reports
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"There is incontrovertible evidence that both
senior officials and elected members of
Birmingham council were aware of activities
that bear a striking resemblance to those
described in the Trojan horse letter many
months before it surfaced."
"Birmingham City Council's inability to address
these problems has been exacerbated by a
culture within [the council] of not wanting to
address difficult issues...where there is a risk it
may be accused of being racist or
Islamophobic."
Russell Hobby, general secretary, National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)
Mr Hobby said the NAHT could not "fully support the conclusions" of the city council's
report because it has used "too narrow a definition of extremism" and limited its process
and terms of reference "in a way which excludes critical evidence".
"We entirely understand the pressures faced by the council but do not feel that their
conclusions reflect the full reality in schools," he said.
"The Clarke review, sections of which have been reported on in the press ahead of formal
publication, reaches a very different set of conclusions from access to a different
evidence base.
"The discrepancies between the two are regrettable and unhelpful."
He said the union would continue to support the council in its efforts to address issues
raised.
Ruby Kundi, Headteacher
Ruby Kundi, head of Highfield School, one of the 25 investigated in Ian Kershaw's probe,
said she thought the differing accounts could create more confusion.
"I'm thinking the differences in the reports could cause more mess, with people denying
what Clarke said because Kershaw didn't find it," she said.
"Compared with Clarke, he played some of the findings down, though he did suggest the
council are not really giving the full picture and are too frightened to upset Islamists or
Muslim people."
"He said it was only a few governors and not a co-ordinated effort, but to me what he
described was co-ordinated and all these people, governors at different schools, were
connected.
"There should have been just one investigation where they worked together. I feel sorry for
the parents and children in all this."
7/22/2014 BBC News - Trojan Horse: Reaction to council and government reports
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Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Perry Barr, Birmingham
Labour MP Mr Mahmood said he agreed with Mr Kershaw's finding that identified the issue
as a "minority problem" caused by a handful of disruptive governors, but said there was
"still more to look at" and called for Birmingham City Council to be held to account.
"Kershaw's report confirmed what I've been saying for a long time and now the idea that
the letter was a fake can be put in the dustbin and the real issues raised can be dealt
with," he said.
"Unfortunately, some people still have their heads buried in the sand but we're moving
forward with new governors to change the culture in the schools involved.
"This is the main issue, to do this as quickly as possible to get our children back to proper
integrated education for the new school year."
Shabina Bano, chair of Oldknow Academy Parents' Association
Ms Bano has two daughters at Oldknow Academy, one of five schools placed into special
measures by education watchdog Ofsted.
"First they were out to isolate us, now they are out to divide us by talking about different
forms of Islam," she said.
"The Birmingham city council report totally contradicts what Peter Clarke is saying.
"The authorities need to pull their socks up. I've lost complete faith in Peter Clarke.
"It's all going to end with no apology, it's all going to end with children paying the price."