Al-Madinah school shuts its doors to pupils over 'health and safety issue' just hours after inspectors arrive.
Richard Adams
Ofsted is currently undertaking a two-day inspection of the Al-Madinah school. Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian
A controversial Islamic faith school in Derby – under fire for forcing female staff to wear headscarves – abruptly shut its doors on Wednesday hours after the arrival of inspectors from Ofsted, citing unspecified "health and safety" as the reason.
Parents who visited the Al-Madinah school, which opened last year as part of the government's free school programme, said they were told by staff that the reason for the sudden closure was confidential.
In a statement, Ofsted said: "We can confirm that Ofsted is currently undertaking a two-day inspection of the Al-Madinah school in Derby.
"As a result of findings that our inspectors have shared with the principal during the first day of the inspection, we understand that he has written to parents informing them that the school will be closed to children.
"We have also informed the Department for Education and the local authority of our initial findings. As the inspection is in progress, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
The inspection and the closure comes less than two weeks after a teacher quit Al-Madinah, saying all female staff were being required to follow Islamic dress codes and that pupils were being segregated in classrooms, with girls sitting at the back.
The inspection by Ofsted was triggered by complaints about the school after the Derby Telegraph revealed the allegations. The school is also being investigated by the Education Funding Agency, the schools' financial watchdog, over alleged irregularities involving contracts with suppliers, while the DfE is said to have had the school under review before the public allegations were made. The DfE said: "We are waiting for Ofsted's final report and considering all legal options."
A note to parents on the school's website from head teacher Stuart Wilson told parents: "Owing to a health and safety issue, I have taken the decision to close the school to primary and secondary pupils until I am confident that all children are safe on site." The school is expected to reopen "in the very near future," according to the message.
Mohammed Ali, a parent whose daughter attends the school, told the Burton Mail: "We've been really pleased with our daughter's education so far. I'm really happy with the school. But we want to know what is actually going on."
A 39-year-old woman who arrived with her two sons, aged 11 and seven, said they had been told they could come in to ask any questions after receiving the letter.
She said: "We've been told the school has been temporarily closed for health and safety reasons. They haven't told us what they are. They said the school should be open to children again by Monday."
She said she had been pleased with the school and its education before the closure. "I'm very happy with the education. My concerns are about the closure of the school. They said there had been a few issues but not enough to close the school."
The school has about 200 pupils from reception class to age 13. Its prospectus tells parents: "Our school will be underpinned by the principles of the Islamic faith, which we believe to be universal principles that all should aspire to whether they are Muslims, of other faiths or none." It says shorter holidays and longer school days will "maximise opportunities for pupil achievement and success".
The prospectus notes: "All staff members will also express decency and modesty in their clothing and appearance. Female members of staff – irrespective of their religious beliefs – will cover their heads and bodies appropriately in light of the teachings of Islam."
The prospectus says: "With regards to songs and music, we acknowledge that it can be an aid for learning, in particular in primary school. Under the guidance of the director [of the school's Quranic and Islamic Studies department], it shall only be used as a learning aid, not for entertainment and amusement purposes."
