Ofsted inspection finds Islamic faith school had leaflets branding music and dancing as ‘acts of the devil’
The Department for Education has threatened to close any school which is found to promote 'twisted ideologies'
Education inspectors have found leaflets at a Muslim all-boys school which branded music, singing and dancing “acts of the devil”.
Watchdog Ofsted said it found a large number of the flyers at Darul Uloom Islamic High School in Birmingham which contained “concerning and extremist views” which were evidence that teachers were “safeguarding weakness”.
During a visit in May, inspectors say they found the leaflets in an area shared by the school and a nearby mosque which was used by the pupils – who are all boys aged between 11 and 16.
Darul Uloom was branded “inadequate” last October after an inspection into its overall effectiveness.
The school then drew up an improvement action plan which was evaluated by inspectors in February.
The latest Ofsted report, published this week, said: "Leaders and staff have had training in preventing extremism and radicalisation, and been given the latest Government safeguarding guidance.
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"However, the impact of this work has not rectified safeguarding weaknesses.
"A large number of copies of a leaflet containing highly concerning and extremist views, such as 'Music, dancing and singing are acts of devil and prohibited', were discovered during the inspection.
"The leaflets were found in areas shared by the school and adjoining mosque which are used by leaders and in areas used by the pupils from the school."
Inspectors also slammed the school for failing to provide pupil progress information.
The Department for Education said the allegations were "concerning" and threatened to close any school which is found to promote "twisted ideologies".
A spokesman said: "These leaflets should have no place in any school - and we will not hesitate to take strong action when schools focus on ideological indoctrination rather than a high-quality education.
"We are urgently investigating the concerning allegations about this school and as part of this we commissioned Ofsted to do an unannounced inspection.
"Extremism has no place in our society and when we find schools promoting twisted ideologies we will not hesitate to take action, including closing the school or working with the police if necessary."
However, Darul Uloom has branded the watchdog “racist” saying their inspector was “extremely belligerent” and that the leaflets were “dumped” at the rear door of the mosque and not at the school.
The independent school says an Ofsted official angrily refused to take off his shoes during his visit.
Teachers also say their equality report, which states that the school is against all forms of discrimination, was dismissed as “just a piece of paper”.
Darul Uloom’s statement said: "These leaflets were not on the display board or anywhere near the display board.
"They were clearly dumped by a member of the public, ironically next to the sign where it is clearly signposted 'strictly no posters or leaflets'.
"Furthermore in regards to the inspection in question, the conduct of the Ofsted inspectors during this inspection were unacceptable and racist."
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