Foreword by Mick Waters.The Trojan Horse affair sent shock waves across Englands education system in 2014. The affair centred around an anonymous letter that contained instructions on how to take over schools with a majority Muslim population by influencing their governing bodies and undermining head teachers. The authenticity of the letter remains hotly disputed, yet its publication generated huge turbulence - both in Birminghams schools and communities, and in Parliament and the national news.Edited by Colin Diamond, The Birmingham Book offers fresh perspectives based on unique access to information from within the city, written by respected educationalists who have worked successfully in Birmingham for many years during the Trojan Horse era and since. It explains what led to the publication of the letter, its profound consequences for education in Birmingham, and how Trojan Horse activities continued in the city after 2014 - albeit from outside the school gates once new policies and regulations made it impossible to influence schools from within. The book also opens up an informed discussion around the issues raised during Trojan Horse, such as delivering a well-rounded curriculum suitable for a diverse school community, developing working partnerships in the local area, and boosting the attainment and aspirations of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Colin Diamond, CBE has worked in education leadership roles for over 40 years, including two director of education posts, and as a senior civil servant in Whitehall. Colin took up post as Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Birmingham in 2018 and is passionate about inclusion and social justice, always mindful of his childhood in Liverpool. He also plays in bands and supports Liverpool FC.Professor Mick Waters is best known as former Director of the Curriculum at the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) where he gained an heroic reputation amongst teachers whilst both consulting, advising and explaining the new curriculum; making it relevant and meaningful for professionals working directly with children and young people. A former Headteacher, Mick is passionate about the role of education in improving life chances for pupils and is still very much involved with teaching and learning. He is the President of the Curriculum Foundation and a charismatic speaker who pushes the boundaries to improve learning and make schools better. One of the UKs leading educational mentors brings you the book you have been waiting for!
Features and benefits:
• Shares case studies of school improvement in local and national MATs in tough, multicultural urban environments, and how schools worked to develop pupils’ social capital.
• Reveals how the Trojan Horse affair was handled by the Department for Education as their academies and free schools policies underwent their first major stress tests.
• Provides an up-to-date appraisal of the interrelationship between education in England’s schools and the cultural and religious practice of the local communities the schools serve – and of the underachievement levels of the different ethnic groups in Birmingham.
• Sets out how sex and relationship education can be sensitively integrated into the school’s pastoral curriculum, without causing undue unrest amongst those parents and families who may object to its inclusion.
