Inspection call at 'Trojan bid' school

INSPECTION CALL . . . Clarksfield Primary School

OLDHAM'S Liberal Democrats have called for Ofsted to inspect a primary following allegations of a "Trojan Horse" plot to promote "conservative Islamic values" within the mainstream school.

Oldham Council investigated complaints from Trish O'Donnell, head teacher at Clarksfield Primary School, which included claims of physical assault and death threats.

No evidence of a plot was found and a report was passed to the national Counter Terrorism Unit and the Department for Education.

Following the allegations, which have been reported in the media, the Liberal Democrat group on the council is calling upon council leaders to formally request Ofsted conducts a fully independent investigation of the school to alleviate growing concerns among teachers, staff, parents, pupils and the wider community.

As group chairman, Councillor Chris Gloster said: "Allegations of this type are damaging to everyone, most of all to the pupils of the school who should be free to learn and develop in a safe and caring environment. We all have a duty to actively promote fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

"British values have been actively taught in schools since at least 2014. Any external interference of this important area of the school curriculum is unacceptable and must and will not be tolerated.

'We also have a duty to protect staff and pupils and if these allegations have any truth behind them, they are abhorrent and there is no place for them in an inclusive society, which Oldham strives to be."

He added that he has written to the council leader Councillor Jean Stretton, and the council's chief executive, Dr Carolyn Wilkins, urging the school and council to formally request Ofsted carries out a full and independent inspection of the school at the earliest opportunity.

Clarksfield Primary was rated as "good" in its last Ofsted report in June 2014. The education watchdog said Mrs O'Donnell provided "strong leadership" that motivated staff and pupils to do their best. They praised teaching as good and found that pupils made good progress.