Ofsted's previous praise for 'inadequate' Birmingham schools

Three schools in Birmingham due to be put into special measures amid allegations of failures to safeguard children from the threats of extremism were previously praised by Ofsted.

Special measures means the Department of Education will step in and replace governors and senior members of staff, if deemed necessary.

The educational rating of two of the schools was deemed outstanding by inspectors, as recently as last year in the case of Oldknow Academy.

Nansen School

Nansen primary school was graded between good and satisfactory in its last Ofsted report, in November 2010, ITV News understands.

Some of the comments from Ofsted at the time highlighted the strong links to local neighbourhoods, as well as global links to a school in Pakistan.

Park View School

Park View was rated outstanding in its most recent inspection in January 2012 and warmly praised by Ofsted.

Academic results at the school were well above the national average, all the more impressive considering the catchment area is Alum Rock, a deprived area inside Birmingham where 70% of children are eligible for free school meals. Among the comments from inspectors:

Oldknow Academy

Oldknow Academy was rated outstanding by Ofsted inspectors in January last year. Among the many things the partly state funded academy was praised for was the specialist Arabic instruction it provided.

Ofsted also praises the use of pupil premium funding (when a school receives extra money to raise the attainment of its poorest students) to pay for a number of cultural trips, including some to Saudi Arabia.

Read more: Ofsted criticises Birmingham Council in school reports