Reform UK demands investigation over controversial teaching materials linking party to extremism

Reform UK has called for an official inquiry after discovering that some south London schools included teaching materials portraying the party alongside Nazi Germany and far-right ideologies, raising concerns over political bias in education.

Reform UK has demanded an official investigation following revelations that teaching materials at a group of prominent state schools in south London included highly controversial comparisons between the party and Nazi Germany. Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform UK, raised serious concerns after discovering that staff at the Orion Education Group, which operates eight academies, incorporated a photograph of him alongside descriptions of ‘extremism’ that placed Reform UK near the British National Party (BNP) and Nazis on a political spectrum used in Year 10 lessons.

According to the teaching materials, ‘extremism’ was defined as activities rejecting British values such as mutual respect, democracy, and tolerance. Reform UK was portrayed as a right-wing party advocating stricter immigration controls, deportation of illegal migrants, and policies promoting UK sovereignty and traditional education—stances the materials linked with far-right and fascist ideologies. The accompanying lesson content warned against far-right beliefs damaging communities and increasing hate crimes while highlighting concerns about media influence, citing certain tabloids for inflammatory coverage about immigration. Students were advised to rely on mainstream outlets like the BBC and The Guardian rather than tabloids or random online sources.

Mr Tice, who learned of the slide presentations from parents, has written to Simon Garrill, CEO of Orion Education, demanding a full explanation and a formal apology. He warned that failing this, he would escalate the issue to the Charity Commission, emphasising that the academy trusts are bound by rules requiring political neutrality and balance. Mr Tice described the teaching materials as ‘factually inaccurate,’ ‘grossly offensive,’ and defamatory, asserting they breached education guidelines and the professional responsibility owed to pupils.

An Orion spokeswoman confirmed receipt of Mr Tice’s letter and said the group is investigating the concerns raised. The Orion Education Group comprises five primary and three secondary schools in south London.

This controversy around Reform UK occurs amid ongoing tensions between the party and various educational and political groups. The National Education Union (NEU) labeled Reform UK as ‘racist and far-right,’ citing its anti-immigration policies and campaigning against migrants. NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede criticised party leader Nigel Farage, equating him to a ‘pound shop Trump’ and accusing him of dog whistle politics designed to stir division.

Richard Tice has publicly condemned extremist and offensive behaviour even within his own party ranks. In February 2024, he took decisive action by dismissing a candidate live on air for posting social media content comparing transgender individuals to Nazis and making derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community, signalling Reform UK’s stated commitment to serious politics and zero tolerance for such conduct.

The party’s contentious positioning has not only drawn criticism from unions but also from political opponents. In October 2025, Mr Tice accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of inciting violence against Reform UK supporters by labelling the party’s immigration plans as racist. He claimed such rhetoric empowered radical left groups, including Antifa, to target Reform UK campaigners, thereby threatening their safety.

Meanwhile, Reform UK continues to push forward on divisive social issues. In mid-2025, Mr Tice called for a national debate on banning the burka, following internal party disagreements. He advocated for open discussion on sensitive cultural topics, underscoring the party’s focus on traditional values and national identity.

Critics, including organisations like Stand Up to Racism, consistently denounce Reform UK as a racist party that scapegoats refugees, asylum seekers, and minority communities, while undermining public services like the NHS. Such accusations contribute to the contentious climate surrounding the party in schools and public discourse.

The growing politicisation of classroom materials has broader implications, especially given the recent rise in popularity of Reform UK in opinion polls. The framing of political parties and beliefs in educational settings demands careful scrutiny to ensure accuracy, professionalism, and neutrality. The investigation into Orion Education’s teaching resources will likely set an important precedent for how schools balance political education and prevent indoctrination or defamation.

📌 Reference Map:

• Paragraph 1 – ^[1] Daily Mail
• Paragraph 2 – ^[1] Daily Mail
• Paragraph 3 – ^[1] Daily Mail
• Paragraph 4 – ^[1] Daily Mail
• Paragraph 5 – ^[3] Nation Cymru
• Paragraph 6 – ^[2] GB News
• Paragraph 7 – ^[4] LBC
• Paragraph 8 – ^[5] Evening Standard
• Paragraph 9 – ^[6] Stand Up to Racism
• Paragraph 10 – ^[1] Daily Mail

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative appears to be recent, with the earliest known publication date being 2 November 2025. The Daily Mail article is the primary source, with no evidence of earlier substantial coverage. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The content has been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks, which raises concerns about its originality. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
7

Notes:
The direct quotes from Richard Tice and the Orion Education Group spokeswoman are not found in earlier material, suggesting potential originality. However, without access to the original teaching materials, it’s challenging to verify the authenticity of the quotes. The wording of the quotes varies slightly across sources, which may indicate paraphrasing or selective reporting.

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Daily Mail, a reputable organisation. However, the content has been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks, which raises concerns about its reliability. The Orion Education Group comprises five primary and three secondary schools in south London, but there is limited information available online to verify their credibility.

Plausability check

Score:
7

Notes:
The claims about teaching materials comparing Reform UK to Nazis are plausible, given the party’s controversial positions and previous incidents involving party members. However, the lack of access to the original teaching materials makes it difficult to fully assess the accuracy of the claims. The tone of the narrative is consistent with typical corporate or official language, and there is no excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible claim about teaching materials comparing Reform UK to Nazis, with recent publication dates and potential originality in quotes. However, the lack of access to the original teaching materials and the republishing of the content across low-quality sites raise concerns about its reliability and authenticity. Further verification is needed to confirm the accuracy of the claims.