Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, has given a statement following today’s court judgement about the Al-Hijrah school.

Amanda Spielman, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools, said:

I am delighted that we have won this appeal. Ofsted’s job is to make sure that all schools properly prepare children for life in modern Britain. Educational institutions should never treat pupils less favourably because of their sex, or for any other reason.

The school is teaching boys and girls entirely separately, making them walk down separate corridors, and keeping them apart at all times. This is discrimination and is wrong. It places these boys and girls at a disadvantage for life beyond the classroom and the workplace, and fails to prepare them for life in modern Britain.

This case involves issues of real public interest, and has significant implications for gender equality, Ofsted, government, and the wider education sector. We will be considering the ruling carefully to understand how this will affect future inspections.

Read the full judgement on this case.

Published 13 October 2017