11
timetable in year 6 does not include any lessons in the humanities, arts, music or PSHE.
In year 5 there are three hours of creative curriculum on the timetable where there may
be a wider range of study, for example the Ancient Greeks and the Egyptians. Younger
children, including those in key stage 1 have a similarly restricted and unbalanced
curriculum. Children gave feedback that there are no clubs or out of hours activities other
than English and maths intervention which are not optional.
51. At Park View School we saw schemes of work for PSHE, Biology, and Sex and
Relationship Education that had been restricted to comply with a conservative Islamic
teaching. In Biology, GCSE year 11, discussion with pupils indicated that the teacher had
briefly delivered the theory of evolution to comply with the syllabus, but had told students
that `This is not what we believe`. Pupils had been told to read the section in the text
book on reproduction at home on their own. Therefore, topics such as body structure,
function and the menstrual cycle were not covered in class, although pupils needed to
familiarise themselves at home in preparation for the GCSE exam. Students told us that
as Muslims they were not allowed to study matters such as reproduction with the
opposite sex. They also told us that their teachers gave them seats in which to sit in class
by gender to avoid having to mix. Students spoke openly about their belief as Muslims
that boys and girls should not study certain materials together.
52. RE is compulsory for all year groups at both Golden Hillock School and Park View
School. At Golden Hillock School, the vast majority complete the Islamic Studies paper
and follow Edexcel specification units 4 and 11. The head of department stated that there
are students in year 11 who are not Muslim and five of these also wish sit the Christian
GCSE paper. These students study from different texts. We were told that these students
attend the same class as those who study the Islamic course but they have to teach
themselves because the teacher has to give his/her time to the vast majority of students
in the lesson who are doing a different course.
53. Teachers at Nansen Primary School assess pupil progress regularly throughout
lessons and many examples of good questioning were observed. Marking was thorough
in several classes but in RE and Arabic it was not as effective in other subjects.
54. At Golden Hillock School we were told by senior staff and by 2 heads of
department that staff had been given instructions by governors banning discussion with
students on any matters regarding sexual orientation and intimacy. Therefore heads of
department have had to change schemes of work to ensure they comply with governors’
requests. Such changes mean that they have to restrict their use of resources and the
information which is provided for and discussed with students. Such limitations affect the
broad and balanced teaching of many subjects including art, English, RE and PSHE. The
ban also precludes staff from teaching Sex and Relationships Education honestly and
openly. Aspects of Safeguarding and Child Protection related to bullying in and out of
school are also jeopardised. Guidance issued by the Secretary of State is clear that
teachers should be able to deal honestly and sensitively with sexual orientation and
answer questions.