Fascists can stay in our classrooms

Maurice Smith, whose review formed the basis for the decision, said: "I do not believe that barring teachers or other members of the wider school workforce from membership of legitimate organisations which may promote racism is necessary."

He said that the number of racist incidents should be kept "under active review."

Teaching union NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: "Maurice Smith seems to have focused, to a point of obsession, on the number of incidents.

"Most right-minded people would say that keeping a running tally of racist incidents in schools would seem to be perverse. "One incident is one too many.

"How many incidents would there have to be before Maurice Smith would be persuaded that further action is needed?

"He has squandered a golden opportunity to advance the cause of ensuring good race relations in schools."

Mr Smith argued that existing measures to prevent teachers from promoting racism in schools were "sufficient" and barring members of fascist organisations like the BNP would be a "profound political act."

But he conceded that many of the safeguards did not apply to independent schools, which includes academies.

Unlike state-maintained schools, independent schools are not legally obliged to hire teachers who have achieved Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Unqualified teachers are not required to be trained on equal opportunities and promoting diversity, unlike QTS teachers.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls accepted the review's recommendation for a review into independent schools' ability to protect pupils from racism.

Defending the safeguards, Mr Balls said: "It is reassuring to know that they are working."

But Ms Keates hit back, saying that there was no evidence of their effectiveness.

She said the idea that a BNP member can "simply leave these beliefs at the school gate and behave as a 'professional' when they walk into school is risible."

National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower said the review failed to "address the wider issue of the real and major threat of the BNP and other fascist organisations to local communities such as Barking and Dagenham and Stoke.

"Should they be successful in gaining any further electoral ground, it would be damaging."