.... Recent interviews with the governors seem to indicate a willingness to make changes – for example, head scarves will not be required for non-Muslim female teachers.
This is papering over the cracks.
The school employs non-Muslim members of staff because, as yet, it cannot find sufficient qualified Muslim teachers. It now realises that, under the Academies Act, it does not have to employ qualified staff – in fact the schools minister, Baron Nash, runs a free school in Pimlico, London, which employs non-qualified staff, including an unqualified and inexperienced head teacher who resigned early in October.
So, expect to see all teachers at Al-Madinah being Muslim, with female teachers wearing the head scarf.
This type of discrimination is perfectly legal. Last week a Derby Campaign for Inclusive Education supporter in Nottingham – a qualified and experienced chemistry teacher – applied for jobs at Catholic and CofE schools in the city. On both occasions he was politely told that he was wasting his time because "as an atheist you will not be able to promote the religious views of the school".
Next time I have a job to offer perhaps I should state: "no religious people need apply". [Derby Telegraph] Read more
