Writing for The Northern Echo, John Denning claims Education Secretary Nicky Morgan’s shock decision to axe funding for Durham Free School (DFS), run with a Christian ethos, was based on allegations “very skilfully and tactically written to play upon sensitivities and priorities within the DfE (Department for Education) in the wake of the Trojan Horse affair”.
Ms Morgan firmly denied the allegation, saying DFS pupils were being let down by a catalogue of failures and failure would not be tolerated.
Operation Trojan Horse was launched after the discovery of a letter alleged to be from Islamists plotting to wrest control of Birmingham schools and led to several being placed into special measures.
On Monday, Ofsted slated DFS as inadequate across all areas and said pupils held “discriminatory views” and the school was “failing to prepare students for life in modern Britain”.
DFS rejects the conclusion and believes it was based on one pupil who on being asked whether he knew what a Muslim was displayed a “very disappointing level of ignorance”.
School leaders are furious the “serious allegations” quoted by Ms Morgan as grounds for closure have never been disclosed to them and believe they were made by ousted headteacher Peter Cantley, who is pursuing legal action over the termination of his contract.
Mr Cantley was incompetent, Mr Denning said, and as such the allegations were seriously questionable.
In response, Mr Cantley said the school was making good progress under his leadership; but he raised concerns about its governance before any action was taken to dismiss him and the school spiralled out of control during the six weeks between him going off sick and the Ofsted inspection.
Mr Denning questioned Ms Morgan’s claim she had considered installing new leadership, as Julian Eisner had already been appointed acting head and been praised by Ofsted as setting a clearer vision for the school’s future.
The minister said the school had been “troubled” for some time there was no imminent prospect of improvement.
An Ofsted spokesman said it took all concerns about its work seriously and would consider any issues raised through its complaints procedure.
Parents have until Tuesday, February 3, to convince Ms Morgan to spare the school. Email ministers@education.gsi.gov.uk
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