The proprietor of a faith school which segregated staff by their sex and prevented girls from studying certain subjects has been banned from managing schools.

Zafar Iqbal Khan, chairman of the Muslim Rabia Boys and Girls School in Luton, has been disqualified from taking part in the management of independent schools – including academies or free schools – following an announcement by Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.

The barring decision also has the effect of disqualifying Khan from being a governor at any local-authority-maintained school.

The school, in Luton, was accused of ‘actively undermining’ British values by ex-Ofsted chief, Sir Michael Wilshaw, in 2016.

Inspectors found male and female staff divided during training sessions, and two years earlier found girls could not study certain subjects.

The faith school was also rated ‘inadequate’ in multiple Ofsted inspections – first in 2014, then twice in 2015, twice more in 2016, and twice again in 2017 – more than any other private school in the country at the time.

School leaders claimed the school had been ‘unfairly targeted and harassed’ and previously accused Ofsted of an ‘agenda against faith schools’.

Khan has three months to appeal the decision.