Investigation launched into Luton faith school

The Charity Commission has launched an inquiry into an Independent Islamic school in Luton run by the Rabia Educational Trust.

Issues with the school were highlighted by Ofsted inspectors in April, who raised concerns that British Values were being ‘undermined’ in the school. At the initial meeting with inspectors the school insisted on segregating men and women with a dividing screen and Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw said that there was further evidence signalling that male and female staff were segregated during training sessions.

The Charity Commission carried out a compliance visit and inspection in January 2015 and issued an action plan to address regulatory concerns. In March 2016 the Commission wrote to the trustees and asked them to provide a written response and evidence of their compliance with the action plan, as well as provide a written response to concerns raised in the media about the charity and its hosting of guest speakers at the school.

The trustees failed to respond within the required timeframe and their response did not address all the actions set out by the Commission, triggering the launch of the inquiry.

A release from the Commission reads: “The trustees did not respond to the Commission within the required timeframes and their response did not address all the actions required of the trustees as set out in the action plan. Therefore the Commission opened an inquiry into the charity and has exercised its legal powers to compel the trustees to provide information and documents regarding the charity to the Commission.”

The Commission will now examine: the administration, governance and management of the charity; the financial controls and management of the charity; and the conduct of trustees.

Additionally, the inquiry will also seek to clarify whether or not the trustees have complied with and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities as trustees under charity law.