Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explains the truth is it’s a powerful and enticing message, well formulated to adjust to the changing nature of media — itself the result of many powerful forces, and it’s all about garnishing support for a particular political cause. It explores issues associated with the roles of politics and the media, and the growing anxieties associated with xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia in school education. These dog whistle-inspired agendas are aimed not only at modifying school educational policy and practice through political processes, but also at sustaining political power on a broader scale. The book focuses on the infamous Birmingham “Trojan horse” affair. It aims to remind readers that national governments are increasingly asserting increased control over school educational policy.