‘My girls would tell me if anything untoward was going on’
Oldknow Academy, a Birmingham school at the centre of Trojan Horse allegations, has seen its rating slashed by Ofsted. But Shabina Bano will keep her two daughters there. Here she explains why.
I chose to send my two daughters to Oldknow Academy because I wanted them to receive a good strong, secular education. I’m hoping to send my two boys there as well. Despite everything you may have read about the school being a hotbed of extremism, at the centre of the so-called Trojan Horse plot, it was in fact rated as outstanding just last year. In my opinion it still is.
My girls have been at the school for two years. In that time I’ve seen them flourish. Their grades are good and they are happy. They were previously at a Muslim faith school, but I pulled them out. I wanted them to go to a regular state school because I want them to grow up as integrated citizens, as part of modern Britain.
I researched all of the local schools and chose Oldknow because of its “outstanding” Ofsted grading. The majority of the pupils there do happen to be Muslim, but that is because it is in a Muslim area. And yes, the school does respect the religious ethos of its pupils.
I wanted them to go to a regular state school because I want them to grow up as integrated citizens, as part of modern Britain.
Shabina Bano
Yet it’s not fundamental in any way and it certainly doesn’t ram religion down anyone’s throat. I don’t wear the headscarf and neither do my children.
They’ve never been told they must cover up or made to feel that they don’t fit in in any way. They have celebrated Christmas and Easter, as well as Eid. When I first heard the allegations that the school was part of a hardline plot and that its governors wanted to take it over, I was shocked and upset.
I talked to other teachers. I talked to my girls. After a few weeks, it became apparent to me that there was no truth to the allegations. The proof for me is the children. My daughters would have told me if there was anything untoward going on. One of the newspapers claimed there was anti-Christian chanting in an assembly.
Uncomfortable questions
My daughters were there and they have never heard it. But some of the media don’t seem interested in the facts. We’ve had cameras outside our school on a regular basis and it’s been really stressful. I’ve had to explain to my children what’s going on. My daughter has asked me if it’s wrong to be a Muslim.
What makes me really angry is that they’ve never been exposed to words like radicalisation and extremism. Yet I’ve had to explain to them what these words mean. I feel they are too young to be tackling these subjects. They are only primary school age, they should be free to play and enjoy.
Every time we try and integrate as Muslims, as a community, we are pulled back and criticised.
Shabina Bano
Every time we try and integrate as Muslims, as a community, we are pulled back and criticised.
The way the whole story has been reported and the accusations made against us has meant some of us are losing faith with the authorities, with the police, the local council and the government.
To me I have done my utmost best to integrate my children in society but sadly it seems that the Education Secretary Michael Gove’s political agenda is set on creating a new apartheid system with Muslims on the receiving end.
It feels like Britain’s political agenda is aiming at marginalising British Muslims and that Mr Gove is planting the seeds for an ‘us’ and ‘them’ culture. I absolutely stand by Oldknow Academy as being outstanding in all areas despite the latest Ofsted report because to me every child does matter regardless of creed, religion and colour.