One bad apple: All free schools are not like Al-Madinah

Ofsted's withering report suggests the watchdog can recognise failing institutions

Editorial
Thursday 17 October 2013 18:12 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

For opponents of Michael Gove’s free schools, recent revelations about one such institution in Derby are proof that the concept is fundamentally flawed.

First, the Al-Madinah school was threatened with closure over allegations that pupils were being segregated by gender and female staff were required to wear head scarves. It was then closed for a week, on the opening day of its first Ofsted inspection, because background checks on staff had not been satisfactorily completed.

Finally, the watchdog’s leaked report described the school as “dysfunctional” after inspectors found “basic systems and processes” not in place and noted the “limited knowledge and experience” of those in charge. Not only is the teaching “inadequate”, but even pupil safety is uncertain.

Damning, indeed. No wonder that the shadow Education Secretary took the opportunity to brand the free-school programme a “dangerous free-for-all”. But while such an interpretation might suit Tristram Hunt’s politics, it is too precipitous a conclusion to draw from a single failure, however egregious.

There is no room for complacency. The high number of free-school applications from religious groups, for example, rightly prompted concern, as did the waiving of requirements for teachers to be qualified. And in the case of Al-Madinah, the latter is thrown into particular relief. Thus, the whole saga only underlines the paramount need for close oversight.

Arguably, though, Ofsted’s unforgiving assessment suggests the regulator is well-equipped to identify under-performing institutions. It must now prove equally effective in either remedying the situation or closing the school down.

If swathes of Al-Madinahs are found, there will then be questions to be asked about the free-schools concept. But so far, there are not.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in