Trojan Horse headteacher sought help recruiting 'white people'

Monzoor Hussain left a senior white colleague at Birmingham's Park View Educational Trust (PVET) surprised by using a racially offensive term, weeks before the scandal hit the headlines.

Mr Hussain, known as Moz, the ex-headteacher of Park View Academy, today apologised for using the racial slur and accepted making the remark in early 2014.

However, his barrister challenged the assertion it was specifically aimed at recruiting more white people.

The evidence emerged in a witness statement from Witness B - who is still Director of Support Services at the former Park View school - and had been based at PVET's sister school Golden Hillock.

Park View and Golden Hillock's pupil intake is more than 90 per cent Muslim.

In her statement, Witness B said: "In January or February 2014, I had a discussion with Monzoor in the car park at Park View.

"Monzoor was seeking my help to recruit 'white people' to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) at Park View.

"Monzoor told me that he wanted my help with this and then said words to the effect 'You have got to help us stop this being a crap P**i organisation'.

"At which point my jaw dropped and Monzoor said 'Oh, I am allowed to say that'."

She was giving evidence over video link to an NCTL panel sitting in Coventry yesterday, which is considering allegations of professional misconduct against five former senior teachers at PVET.

All face the principal allegation that on or before March 31, last year, they had agreed to 'the inclusion of an undue amount of religious influence in the education of pupils', at three PVET schools.

They also face several separate allegations of wrong-doing, including allowing 'excessive' punishments including use of 'stress positions' and of pupils being made to stand outside in the rain with their hands on their heads.

Mr Hussain's barrister Andrew Faux asked her: "Is it possible that he didn't say to you 'I want you to help me recruit white people', but simply was saying we need to be more diverse or otherwise we're going to be a crap P**i school.

She replied: "It could have been, because the conversation was that there are all men on the leadership team, so yes, I take your point."

Park View was at the heart of anonymous allegations of a supposed plot by hardline Muslims to take over several city schools, later triggering four official investigations.

PVET has ceased to exist, while Park View Academy has since been taken over and re-named Rockwood Academy.

All the teachers deny any wrongdoing and the hearing continues.