The former assistant headteacher of a Birmingham school at the heart of the so-called Trojan Horse scandal described how Christmas was “cancelled” as the school became more “Islamised”.
Hilary Thompson, previously assistant head at Nansen Primary in Alum Rock, said celebrations from non-Islamic faiths were “squeezed out” – just two months after the failing school was taken over by Park View Educational Trust in October 2012.
.... Mrs Thompson said a move to regular Friday Islamic prayers also impacted on pupil achievement – with teachers and children alike missing half an hour of class to attend prayers.
She added: “In a non-denomination school you need to be teaching broad faiths and opening opportunities for children, but they weren’t.
“The focus of all the assemblies were very much on the Islamic faith, the focus of the RE syllabus was predominantly the Islamic faith. [Birmingham Mail] Read more
