Faith School Bans Pupils From Meeting 'Outsiders'

A Muslim boarding school has been rated "good" by Ofsted, despite threatening to expel students if they mix with other children.

The Institute of Islamic Education in Dewsbury was praised by the education watchdog despite its pupils being taught not to speak to the media and being banned from watching TV, listening to the radio or reading newspapers.

Last week David Cameron criticised some faith schools in a speech on extremism, saying that improving integration was part of the "the struggle of our generation".

The Prime Minister promised a counter-extremism bill in the autumn to tackle what he called "intolerant ideas which create a climate in which extremists can flourish".

In its most recent inspection report Ofsted specifically praised the Dewsbury school for preparing its pupils to cater for the changing needs of British Muslims. "The Islamic Institute of Education provides a good quality of education and meets its stated aims very well," it said.

The school is housed in Dewsbury's Markazi Mosque compound and run by the Tablighi Jamaat sect, which imposes a strict Sharia code on students.

The school has no website, but Sky News obtained copies of documents given to parents which state that students "socialising with outsiders... will be expelled if there is no improvement after cautioning."

The school's Pupil and Parent Handbook contains a Sharia section which lists "Items that are prohibited in Islam... such as portable televisions, cameras, etc".

It says boarders are also banned from wearing un-Islamic garments and using music players or mobile phones at any time.

Official inspection reports spanning the past 11 years have highlighted a lack of school trips and no formal sex education. Mosque elder Shabbir Daji, chairman of the school's governing shura, told Sky News the school "works for unity", but would not comment on how its restrictions prepare children for life in Britain.

"Our policy is to keep away from the media," he said.

In a statement, Ofsted said independent schools were not assessed on their teaching of British values when the Institute of Islamic Education was last inspected.

"In April 2015 Ofsted introduced a new, tougher inspection framework in response to more demanding independent school standards, which include an emphasis on fundamental British values," said a spokesman.

The changes were introduced following the alleged Trojan Horse plot in which hardline Muslims were alleged to have tried to take control of a number of schools in the Birmingham area.

Legislation introduced last year states schools must actively promote "fundamental British values" and prepare pupils for "the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society."