‘Modern’ Muslim school in east London is shut despite claiming closure could leave pupils ‘vulnerable to radicalisation’
Judge rules that 'good intentions' do not outweigh poor standards of education
A "MODERN" Muslim independent school in east London has been shut down despite arguing that it helps prevent the radicalisation of youngsters.
Ayasofia Primary School in Whitechapel was told it would be closed due to poor educational standards last year.
The school, which opened in 2009, appealed the decision but a judge has thrown out its arguments and announced it will be removed from the register of independent schools next week.
Cityside Primary Trust, which owns the school, had claimed that closing it was ";disproportionate".
It said its 80 pupils, aged between four and 11, were avoiding potential radicalisation during unregistered home schooling.
It also said that it was balancing the provision of a very conservative and traditional Islamic education with the need to introduce a "wider modern context" and that pupils, particularly girls, would face the prospect of no formal schooling if it were to be shut.
Tribunal judge Laurence Bennett dismissed the appeal.
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Judge Bennett acknowledged that the school had "introduced elements that might not usually be found within a conservative religious curriculum such as girls learning the Koran and visits to non-Islamic places of worship."
But he did not accept the school's arguments that its closure could contribute to the radicalisation of pupils.
He pointed put that the borough of Tower Hamlets has many schools and said evidence of alternative faith schools had been provided.
The education provided at Ayasofia had been described as "very poor" and despite acknowledging the school's "good intentions" Judge Bennett said "many failings are continuing".
He added: "Parents' religious views cannot override fundamental requirements appropriate for the safe and effective delivery of education to their children whilst attending school.
"The failings had a significant effect upon the quality of the education of the pupils...the appeal fails."
The school, which has not opened for the new academic year, said it has launched a second appeal.
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