Ofsted has launched a snap inspection of Bristol Brunel academy, the secondary school criticised for cancelling a visit by a local MP who is vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel.
Inspectors arrived at the school on Thursday morning after revelations that its leaders had called off a visit by Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, after opposition from a pro-Palestine group and members of staff belonging to the National Education Union.
Keir Starmer told MPs on Wednesday: “We will be holding to account those who prevented this visit to this school.”
Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s chief inspector of schools in England, said he was concerned that the school – managed by the Cabot Learning Federation – had been intimidated into cancelling the visit by the Jewish MP.
Oliver said: “I am troubled by the message this sends to children, especially children from the Jewish community. Those of us privileged enough to be working in education have a professional and moral duty to stand against discrimination.
“Last weekend I tasked inspectors to consider the evidence, speak with the school and determine whether further action was needed. They have concluded the threshold for an inspection was met and they are at the school today. The school was informed this morning and I am very grateful to them for their openness in engaging with the inspectors.”
Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, said she would consider further action against the school after the inspection.
She said: “What happened to my colleague Damien Egan is shocking and completely unacceptable. My department has been in direct contact with Ofsted and I welcome their urgent inspection and look forward to their findings – I will not rule out further action.”
Egan’s visit, to speak to pupils about democracy and the role of MPs, was meant to have taken place last September but the school called off the event after it learned of plans for a protest.
The cancellation was first revealed by Steve Reed, the communities secretary, who told a Jewish Labour Movement conference on Sunday: “I have a colleague who is Jewish, who has been banned from visiting a school and refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency, in case his presence inflames the teachers. That is an absolute outrage.”
The issue was raised at Westminster during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, with Starmer telling MPs: “It is very serious, very concerning, and all members of parliament should be able to visit anywhere in their constituency, schools or other places, without any fear of antisemitism.”
Pro-Palestine activists and NEU members said they opposed the visit because of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The Bristol NEU branch claimed on social media: “We celebrate this cancellation as a win for safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of the NEU trade union staff group, parents, and campaigners standing together.”
This week a spokesperson for the academy said: “We have remained in contact with Mr Egan and an alternative date for his visit was arranged some time ago. We have also been in contact with the police and followed their advice.”
