Islamic primary school had books written by banned extremist, Ofsted report finds

An Islamic primary school had books written by an extremist who has been expelled from the UK after being told to remove them, an Ofsted report has found.

The Olive Tree Primary School, a private Islamic school in Luton, claimed it had removed the “unsuitable books” which did not promote British values earlier this year. However, at its most recent inspection, the books were still available at the school.

“In May 2017, some inappropriate books were found in the school’s library that did not promote British values. Although leaders stated they had removed them, inspectors found the same books during this inspection,” the Ofsted report said.

“The books were written by an author who is banned from entering, or has been expelled from, several countries, including Britain.

"The books were found surrounded by others that are written by suitable authors of children's books. Leaders have not ensured that the risk posed by the texts is mitigated and, as a result, some unsuitable books remain available for pupils."

Inspectors also raised concerns about hygiene at the school, particularly the lack of toilet paper and “rotting” food debris.

 "Pupils wash their cutlery in the toilet basins where only tepid water is available,” the report said.

"Boys do not have toilet tissue, soap or hand-drying facilities available in the toilets. They have to ask an adult in class for toilet tissue. Girls have discarded food out of their toilet windows and the debris is rotting in the security bars."

In 2014, Ofsted inspectors found books at the school which promoted stoning, lashing and execution.

Books available to children included The Ideal Muslim by Dr Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi, which advocates parents hitting children if they do not pray by the age of 10, the report said.

Another, Commanders Of The Muslim Army by Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar, was said to praise individuals who "loved death more than life in their pursuit of righteous and true religion".

A spokesman for The Olive Tree Primary School said that they contest the most recent Ofsted report's findings, which are "quite unfair". 

"The classrooms have their own sinks, so kids washing their cutlery in the bathroom is not sanctioned by the school," the spokesman told The Sun. 

"The problems have been rectified since the inspection and we've been in constant contact with parents to reassure them.

"We have had a change in senior management and will ensure to meet all the criteria in future.

On the issue of "inappropriate books" he added: "It's just another case of nitpicking. The whole environment at the school is conducive to implementing British values, but they find one book and they think that eradicates everything.

"We have removed all books which may cause any offence. Sometimes we feel Ofsted is not very accommodating."