Stripped to its basics, the conflict between Charedi schools and the Department for Education comes down to a very simple idea. Schools need to educate children adequately enough for them, when they leave, to play a part in British society. That fundamental tenet must apply to schools of all religious denominations and none.
Whatever other arguments may be put forward by Charedi schools in their defence, there is no real dispute over Ofsted's finding of fact: that the school at issue - and, by implication, other Charedi schools - is not meeting that basic requirement. The Care Standards Tribunal has upheld Ofsted's view that the Stamford Hill boys' school is not teaching a broad and balanced curriculum and promoting fundamental British values.
The Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations says, in effect, that this is irrelevant because religious freedom should allow them to be able to educate as they see fit. Not so; all children are entitled to a proper education.
If Charedi schools are not providing that then the government is entirely right to act.
