Ofsted swoops on Bristol school after cancelling visit from Jewish MP | Bristol Live

An inspection has been launched

A Bristol school is being inspected by the schools watchdog after claims it “may have been intimidated into cancelling a visit” from their local MP who is Jewish.

Damien Egan was reportedly prevented from visiting Bristol Brunel Academy in his Bristol North East constituency after intervention from pro-Palestinian activists.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said in a statement: “I 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.”

After considering the evidence, inspectors concluded an inspection was warranted and were at the school on Thursday, Sir Martyn said.

A spokesperson for the Cabot Learning Federation, which runs the school, said: “We take our responsibilities to educate young people about British values extremely seriously, which is why we invited Mr Egan to speak to our students in the first place.

“Whilst we took the decision to postpone the visit due to concerns about student safety and the disruption to their education from the planned protest, a date for the rescheduled visit had already been confirmed by Mr Egan’s office. This was long before any of the most recent concerns were raised.”

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said the case was “very serious, very concerning” and added that all MPs “should be able to visit anywhere in their constituency, schools or other places, without fear of antisemitism”.