Five things you need to know about Ofsted’s ‘Trojan Horse’ report

Ofsted’s report into the 21 Birmingham schools involved in the so-called ‘Trojan Horse’ plot has been released (pdf) and it does not make for pleasant reading. Sir Michael Wilshaw, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, summaries that Ofsted found a ‘culture of fear and intimidation has taken grip’ in the Birmingham schools. The report suggests that the schools were targeted and an ‘organised takeover’ did occur. Here are five things you need to know about the Ofsted report:

1. A culture of fear and intimidation

Wilshaw says that some of the 21 schools who were once judged to be good or outstanding have 'experienced high levels of staff turbulence, low staff morale and a rapid decline in their overall effectiveness.’ In some instances, a breakdown of trust between governors and staff has been found, with some head teachers telling the inspectors they were frightened of expressing different views to those of the governors.