Exclusive: MP presses for decision on free school in Islam extremism probe

Linda Riordan said it was time for the Department for Education (DfE) to “end the uncertainty” surrounding the Northern Lights Free School in Halifax which officials have investigated over alleged links to hardline Islamic views.

The Halifax MP said it was in everyone’s interests the DfE made a decision given a new school year was less than three months away.

Northern Lights Educational Trust, which denies all claims of extremism, declined to comment. It is understood Northern Lights, which hopes to open a primary free school, has not been informed of any decision and the DfE also declined to comment.

In April, the Yorkshire Post revealed the DfE was investigating the proposed school after concerns about community cohesion were raised by Ms Riordan and Calderdale Council.

Schools Minister Lord Nash told the MP “appropriate action” would be taken if allegations were substantiated and the plans were on hold until a DfE investigation was complete.

The concerns initially stemmed from Northern Lights’ links with a “community partner” called the Sunniyy School and a controversial leaflet sent to parents in November.

Calderdale Council wrote to the DfE about the contents of the leaflet but also raised wider fears about damage to community relations from the promotion of a hardline religious ethos, including a rise in Muslim pupils withdrawn from mainstream activities.

The Sunniyy School leaflet promoted a meeting of parents by stating: “If it was said to us If you do not attend this meeting your child will die’ I am certain we would all make sure that we attend the meeting.” It added: “There have been several incidents recently where children in various settings have been forced to do things against Islam.”

The Sunniyy School denied the leaflet and meeting were connected to rallying parental support for Northern Lights and apologised for any “unintended offence”.

Northern Lights has previously stated the leaflet was not “issued, endorsed or supported” by them.

But a letter from David Whalley, the council’s head of learning, sent to the DfE in March, said: “A number of schools in the area of Park Ward have contacted the local authority voicing their concerns about pressure being applied to families to enrol children at the proposed school and raising other community cohesion concerns.”

After raising the contents of the leaflet, Mr Whalley’s letter went on: “The local authority is also concerned that the rise in issues being reported regarding uniform for Muslim pupils, Muslim pupils participating in musical activities in school, Muslim pupils participating in curriculum activities related to Christmas etc have increased and schools have alleged that parents are being influenced by views espoused by the Sunniyy School.

“The local authority is led to believe that there are close links between the Sunniyy School and the proposed free school and therefore the potential risk of a negative impact on community relations within the area is high.”

Northern Lights said it was independent of the Sunniyy School and denied all the allegations contained in Mr Whalley’s letter. A spokeswoman said the proposed school would welcome children “of faith and non-faith backgrounds independent of their social and cultural heritage” and was “fully committed to... supporting all community cohesion endeavours”.

She said claims about uniform, music and Chistmas were “misleading”. There would not be a uniform policy specifically for Muslim pupils and the school would have dedicated weekly provision for music for all pupils.

Last night Ms Riordan said: “I just think it would be in the interests of everyone if the DfE said what their thoughts are. It’s time for them to make a final decision so the uncertainty can end.

“I think they have now had long enough to fully look into this issue. The school’s governors, the local community and many other interested parties want to know what’s happening.

“This is obviously a very important decision, I appreciate that, but time is moving on. The new school term is now less than 12 weeks away and other schools in the area need to plan for the future as well.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Calderdale Council is in regular contact with the Department for Education regarding the Northern Lights free school application. We would welcome a decision soon to help us to work with the local community and parents to plan for the future.”