Ofsted did not speak to pro-Israel MP Damien Egan for a report saying it found no evidence that a school which blocked him had been politically biased, the JC can reveal.
Yesterday, the schools watchdog published a report into Brunel Bristol Academy which declared that the school displayed “no evidence of partisan political views” and that “leaders at this school ensure political impartiality in the curriculum and teaching”.
The report was prompted by concerns that the visit “may have been postponed due to coordinated pressure from staff, and external groups”.
However, the JC understands that during the course of its investigation into the school, Ofsted never actually spoke to Egan.
A senior Labour source also strongly criticised Ofsted over its apparent failure to take account of the posts by the Bristol Branch of the National Education Union (NEU) about the incident.
In September, Bristol NEU publicly boasted that it prevented Egan, who is Jewish and whose partner is Israel, from visiting the school.
The group said on Facebook: “MP Damian (sic) Egan’s planned school visit ... this Friday has been cancelled after concerns were raised by the NEU trade union staff group, parents and local constituents”.
They added: “This is a clear message: politicians who openly support Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza are not welcome in our schools.”
They continued to attack Egan over the fact that he is vice chair of Labour Friends of Israel “and has visited Israel since the current onslaught on Gaza began, demonstrating his support.”
The post went on: “We celebrate this cancellation as a win for safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of the NEU trade union staff group, parents, and campaigners standing together.” It was followed by an emoji of the Palestinian flag.
Despite not mentioning that Facebook post, Ofsted’s report said: “The specific decision to postpone the MP’s visit was not the subject of the inspection.
"The inspection sought to examine how the school is run day to day in line with statutory duties on political impartiality, curriculum breadth and pupils’ personal development.”
Ofsted were also criticised by the Jewish Leadership Council.
Russell Langer, the group’s director of public affairs, told the JC: “The Ofsted report into Bristol Brunel Academy was prompted by the decision to cancel a visit by Damien Egan MP but bizarrely didn't contact him for details and states that it did not even consider this decision in their inspection. It is questionable how Ofsted could have come to such a positive conclusion when they in fact never investigated the issue at the heart of the matter.”
A spokesperson for Ofsted said that the organisation does not “comment on individual schools or reports”.
The Cabot Learning Federation, the academy trust responsible for Brunel Bristol Academy has commissioned an independent investigation examining the circumstances surrounding Egan’s visit being postponed, after being told to do so by the education secretary, which is ongoing.
Senior political leaders, including the prime minister and education secretary, have promised robust action shortly after news that Egan was banned from the school in his constituency.
Sir Keir Starmer told MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions earlier this month: “We will be holding those to account who prevented this visit to this school.”
Separately, the JC understands that Department for Education is launching a national review of the systems in place to prevent antisemitism in schools and colleges, more details of which are to be announced “in due course”.
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