Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe Ofsted boss Martyn Oliver ordered watchdog staff considering inspecting a school that postponed an MP’s visit to move “as quickly as you can” as “this one might have legs and we need to be in front of it”. Oliver faced criticism when he publicly expressed concerns about the postponement of Jewish MP Damien Egan’s visit to Bristol Brunel Academy when he announced inspectors would visit the school in January. Egan’s planned visit in September last year was postponed following opposition from local campaigners and National Education Union members on the academy’s staff who raised concerns about Egan’s involvement with the Labour Friends of Israel group. The resulting inspection report, with a later independent investigation by the academy’s trust the , exonerated the school. Ofsted found “no evidence” of political bias. The independent review by Joan McVittie concluded: “The decision to postpone was based not on the MP’s religious beliefs or links to Israel, but on a desire to protect him from potential abuse and harm as a consequence of this”. Freedom of information documents obtained by Schools Week reveal the internal Ofsted discussions that led to the decision to inspect, with senior officials flagging media coverage of the incident to each other. Ofsted told Schools Week quick action was needed so it could “get ahead of any public debate about ‘what Ofsted should do’ĝ. The documents also reveal there was no written communication between the Department for Education and Ofsted, despite education secretary Bridget Phillipson saying at the time that her officials had been “in direct contact” with the watchdog over the matter. Inspection notes also reveal Bristol Brunel Academy received more than 800 emails and phone calls from pressure groups in the build-up to Ofsted’s visit. ‘MDZ as quickly as you can’ On January 15, Oliver announced Ofsted would imminently begin a section 8 ungraded inspection at Bristol Brunel Academy. The watchdog told the school the inspection was “necessary due to potential concerns” of a lack of political impartiality, and that there was “considerable public interest”. Oliver said in January he was “concerned to learn that a school may have been intimidated into cancelling a visit from their local MP. “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.” Internal communications seen by Schools Week show James McNeillie , the regional director for the south west and West Midlands, asked to be informed of any complaints Ofsted received about the school. Senior adviser Rory Gribbell sent a transcript to Oliver of a Times Radio interview with Labour MP Peter Prinsley who condemned the handling of the incident. Two minutes later, Oliver forwarded this to McNeillie and other officials, asking whether this could trigger an inspection under section 8. McNeillie replied less than an hour later highlighting more press coverage, and asked for “collective agreement” to open an inspection. Oliver then forwarded more media coverage and said: “Just on the Cabot Academy, below is a read–out from media interviews where the minister was asked about this. Move as quickly as you can please – this one might have legs and we need to be in front of it.” Schools Week also requested all written communication between Ofsted and the DfE, but Ofsted said there was none. Phillipson told the media following the announcement of the inspection: “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.” The DfE said it could not confirm whether there was verbal communication between the department and Ofsted on the decision to inspect. Frank Norris, a former senior inspector and Ofsted official, said it was “not unusual for a senior civil servant at the DfE to convey the [education secretary’s] view and decision though a phone call. “Usually Ofsted would respond by asking for the instruction to be conveyed in writing. This doesn’t appear to have happened in this instance.” ‘Considerable media and political interest’ Inspection notes revealed Ofsted scheduled the visit due to several concerns. It said the watchdog needed to be “satisfied” about the school’s leadership and governance and curriculum not being influenced by political bias. “There is considerable media and political interest in this case, and an urgent inspection will enable Ofsted to report to parents, the wider community and parliament about pupils’ experiences in the school, and pupils’ and staff safety,” inspector notes said. The inspection found “no evidence” to substantiate concerns about political bias at the school. Leaders and trustees demonstrated “a profound commitment to providing an inclusive learning environment that promotes tolerance and respect for the diversity of modern Britain”. The review by McVittie, a former headteacher and president of the ASCL leaders’ union, found that based on evidence gathered, neither the trust nor school were antisemitic. Norris said that “bearing in mind the most recent Ofsted inspection prior to these incidents was in June 2023, it seems reasonable for Ofsted to revisit”. But he was “surprised it was necessary” to deploy five senior inspectors, “especially as it was clear what the focus of the visit would be”. “It was undertaken when a new framework was being introduced so this may be the Ofsted defence.” ‘Important to make a timely decision’ Ofsted told Schools Week Oliver “wanted to make that decision without delay, and get ahead of any public debate about ‘what Ofsted should do’. “If we had decided not to take any action, we would have said so and why – that’s why it was important to make a timely decision.” When asked about the influence of media coverage, the spokesperson said: “It wasn’t based on media coverage alone. We were concerned about the potential impact on pupils, and staff. Ofsted has a duty to inspect if there are concerns about standards.” The matter had also been raised at prime minister’s questions. Cabot was approached to comment but it declined. Damien Egan’s office was also approached for comment.