Oldham Council has issued an update following media coverage about local schools at the weekend.
A confidential report which was leaked formed the basis of a story which referred to claims of a ‘Trojan Horse’-style conspiracy at Clarksfield primary school which were made in yesterday’s Sunday Times.
According to the paper, Trish O’Donnell, head of the School on Grasmere Road since 2006, has been so worried that she has worked from home for short periods in recent months.
The paper says it has seen the confidential report on Clarksfield by Oldham council this month, which said O’Donnell had reported that she had been subjected to a long campaign involving “death threats”, “threats to blow up her car” and “aggressive verbal abuse”. She had even been physically attacked by one parent, the report said.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, said: “I want to make it clear again that Oldham Council treats any allegations about our schools very seriously. We’re proactive in investigating to ensure that these are safe, tolerant and secure environments for all pupils, staff and parents.
“The confidential report that was leaked was a copy of our internal investigation into serious allegations that were made in December 2016.
“These claims have been thoroughly investigated. We shared them – and our full report – with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Counter Terrorism Unit.
“The report concluded there is no evidence to support claims that a ‘Trojan Horse’ conspiracy was taking place at Clarksfield school and that is a view shared by the DfE.
“Reference was also made to concerns about other Oldham schools and these matters have been investigated. These also do not constitute Trojan Horse-type activity.
“Today we’re continuing to support all the schools named so that they can focus on business as usual.
“We are also grateful to those who shared information and concerns and we remain fully committed to investigating anything that is brought to our attention.”
