Teachers at Trojan Horse-linked schools who Islamised pupils’ education could have classroom ban lifted

Inamulhaq Anwar and Akeel Ahmed previously taught at the former Park View Academy in Alum Rock

A teacher who tried to Islamise the education of pupils at a Trojan Horse-linked school in Birmingham could return to the classroom in just three years.

The National College for Teaching & Leadership (NCTL) ruled in November that Akeel Ahmed undermined British values and failed to teach students at the former Park View Academy respect and tolerance to different faiths.

Now the Department for Education has ruled that the 41-year-old, of Wolverhampton, should be banned from teaching - but he could apply to have the ban lifted in 2019.

And fellow Park View teacher Inamulhaq Anwar - who also allowed “an undue amount of religious influence” on the education of pupils - has also been banned from the classroom, but could return in six years should he successfully apply to remove the prohibition order.

The 35-year-old, of Bordesley Green, was also previously found guilty of Islamising the curriculum through his former role on the governing body of Nansen Primary.

Park View and Nansen, both in Alum Rock, were among five schools placed in special measures in 2014 following snap inspections by Ofsted - sparked by allegations of a plot by hardline Muslims to take over non-faith Birmingham schools.

The NCTL previously ruled that the behaviour of Mr Anwar and Mr Ahmed left pupils at risk of “being isolated” in an Islamic bubble “and not properly integrated” into British society.

A panel said that while their push to Islamise pupils’ education was “in no way extremist” the children were “not being prepared for life in modern Britain”.

It also ruled pupils were being “fed a diet of Islam” and the teachers displayed a “disregard for the law”.

Sanctioning the pair on behalf of Education Secretary Nicky Morgan today, the DfE’s Brian Tytherleigh said Mr Anwar had “many skills both as a classroom teacher and subject leader and may have a future contribution to make to the teaching profession”.

He said Mr Anwar had “potential to secure change” but would need to do “much sustained work” to convince the DfE that he should return to teaching.

“A period of six years would provide adequate time for Mr Anwar to reflect on the lessons learnt and to demonstrate that he has developed appropriate insight,” he added.

He said Mr Ahmed had also had “many skills” as a teacher and had “played a part in promoting multi-faith understanding in the local community”.

“There may be a public interest argument in allowing him to return to teaching,” he added. “Mr Ahmed should be allowed to apply to have the order set aside after a minimum period of three years has passed.”

He said both teachers would have to demonstrate an “unequivocal commitment” to the “delivery of a broad and balanced education which equips pupils for life in modern Britain.”

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