January 31, 2008
Source: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7219634.stm
Some private Muslim and Christian schools in England are to have their own joint inspection body.
The government has approved the setting up of a new independent inspectorate which will mean the schools involved will not be checked by Ofsted.
The body - called The Bridge Schools Inspectorate - will check 110 schools in the Christian Schools Trust and in the Association of Muslim Schools.
The government says the new service will contribute to community cohesion.
England's schools inspectorate Ofsted will regularly vet the new body to check on standards.
The Bridge joins two other independent inspection services, which are also overseen by Ofsted.