Following media allegations of a so called ‘Trojan Horse’ style attempt to promote ‘Conservative Islamic Values’ within Clarksfield Primary School in Oldham, the Liberal Democrat Group on the Council is calling upon Council Leaders to formally request Ofsted conduct a fully independent investigation of the school to alleviate growing concerns amongst teachers, staff, parents, pupils and the wider community.

Serious allegations have been made that teaching, leadership and management at the school has been interfered with in order to promote ‘Conservative Islamic Values’ within this mainstream primary school in Oldham.  These have been compounded by additional allegations of threats to the Headteacher and members of staff

Commenting as Chairperson of the Group, Councillor Chris Gloster, himself a governor of two Oldham schools, 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’.

‘I have today written to the Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Jean Stretton, and the Chief Executive of Oldham Council, Dr Carolyn Wilkins OBE, asking that the school and Council formally request Ofsted carry out a full and independent inspection of the school at the earliest opportunity.  This way we can be satisfied as to how the school is being run and provide additional support if necessary to the school and its leaders’.