[Church of England] Ofsted becoming a schoolroom security service is step too far, writes Church of England chief education officer.

“Whilst Ofsted works out how it measures “British Values” and schools wonder how they might be downgraded for failing to promote them, asking Ofsted to become the schoolroom security service is a step too far,” writes Rev Nigel Genders, the Church of England’s chief education in a new communications blog.

Entitled “Is Ofsted equipped to police extremism?” the blog states that while everyone needs to take the threat of radicalisation very seriously, Church of England schools are committed to being part of the solution. “If schools are going to be held to account they need very clear advice about how they can prevent young people being drawn into extremism.”

He adds that in all schools “this means ensuring more high quality religious education, equipping children with critical skills and teaching pupils that those who advocate violence and hatred in the name of God are distorting their faith”.

He added that for many schools there are serious and far reaching questions that need to be asked in relation to the role of Ofsted in “policing” and enforcing the new statutory duties proposed under the new counter terrorism Bill.

Listen to interview with Nigel Genders