Almost over 500 schools are suspected to be illegal and educating thousands of children across the UK in the last three years, according to data published by Ofsted.
According to the report some of these schools were found in an appalling condition with rat traps, exposed wires and open sewers. In one, pupils were left to play computer games all day, while in another inspectors found children in every classroom repeating religious texts with no other apparent education going on.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said they had already signalled its intention to legislate to enable Ofsted gather evidence to support prosecutions and help close down illegal schools.