Schools face being closed down by the government if they fail to promote British values such as ensuring children know the difference between right and wrong, under plans to prevent extremism in the classroom.
A major overhaul of Ofsted inspections will see 20,000 schools in England required to step in to challenge parents, teachers or pupils who express support for radical Islamic practices and other beliefs contrary to the fundamental tenets of British society.
If inspectors find schools are failing to meet the new requirement, headteachers and governors could be sacked or in the worst cases the school could be closed.
A consultation from the Department for Education will be launched this week, setting out the details of the new rules.
The plan follows the emergence of the so-called “Trojan Horse” scandal, extensively detailed in a series of Telegraph investigations, in which hardline practices were found in schools in Birmingham.
Six schools in the city were put in special measures after Ofsted inspectors found they had fallen into the hands of bullying governors who had sought to narrow the curriculum and exclude non-Muslim pupils.
Inspectors described how raffles and tombolas at one primary school had been banned from a recent fête because they were considered “un-Islamic” as they promoted gambling.
It was also disclosed that one academy’s Christmas special assembly was cancelled and a termly assembly staged by a Christian charity had been scrapped. The terms “white prostitute” were used in assemblies.
Under moves to prevent a repeat of these events, Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, has drawn up plans requiring schools to promote the British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
Private schools, academies and free schools must already show that they “respect” these values but the wording of the rules is being strengthened to require them to “actively promote” British values in the classroom.
The rules are also being extended to cover all local authority run state schools, through changes to Ofsted’s operating framework later this year.
A Department for Education spokesman said: “Keeping our children safe and ensuring schools prepare them for life in modern Britain could not be more important.
“This change is an important step towards ensuring we have a strong legal basis for intervening in those schools where this is an issue.
“The vast majority of schools already promote British values – this is about making sure we have the tools we need to intervene if children are being let down.”
The proposed definition of “actively promoting” the required values will include challenging pupils, staff or parents who expressing opinions that are contrary to fundamental British values.
Action will also be taken against schools where girls are left at a disadvantage on the grounds of their gender, or where prejudice against people of other faiths is encouraged or not sufficiently challenged by staff.
The new rules will also require schools to promote principles which “enable students to distinguish right from wrong” and to respect the civil and criminal law of England.
Pupils must also be given broad knowledge of and respect for the country’s public institutions and services, the proposals will say.