Separate Islamic schools bid faces hurdle

eDUCATION chiefs are considering plans to allow two Islamic faith schools in Birmingham to legally teach boys and girls separately to get round equality laws.

Applications by Redstone educational Academy, in Balsall heath, and greenfields Primary School, in Small heath, to create new separate girls’ and boys’ schools to allow for lawful gender segregation are currently under consideration, as revealed in last week’s Post.

The schools were both pulled up by Ofsted and deemed “inadequate” after inspectors found boys and girls were being taught in separate classes, in defiance of the equality Act.

At Redstone, inspectors found that boys were favourably treated in some areas of school life and “enjoyed school” more than girls, as a result.

They also reported that one former member of staff had told pupils that “university was not for females”.

head teacher of both schools, Saadat Rasool, defended the policy on faith grounds and denied that girls were disadvantaged as a result.

A Department for education spokesman confirmed applications by the primary and secondary schools were being considered and would be decided on shortly, but Ofsted inspectors had ruled that both schools did not meet the expected standards.

A spokesman said: “All independent schools must meet the Independent School Standards and those that fail to do so must improve or face closure. “Any school not complying with the law regarding the segregation of pupils by gender should make the necessary changes as quickly as possible – that can include splitting into two separate schools.”

Mr Rasool defended the segregation practices, which he said were in line with the Muslim faith of parents.