A group of Christian schools that use Bible-based education methods are claiming they have been targeted unfairly by inspectors.

The independent schools are appealing against Ofsted and seeking advice from the Christian Legal Centre about whether there is potential for a judicial review on the grounds that the government's schools inspectorate has exceeded its powers.

The nine schools that belong to the Christian Education Europe network were criticised earlier this year for failing to promote British values adequately and told they are inadequate or require improvement. Two of the schools have now closed.

The schools use the Accelerated Christian Education programme, where the emphasis is placed on learning rather than teaching and children are taught to take responsibility and use their initiative.

This curriculum is based on the Bible and takes children from pre-school at age four to university entrance at 18.

Among the criticisms by Ofsted this autumn were failing to teach enough about Darwin's theory of evolution and about other faiths. 

Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Centre told Christian Today: "What the schools are going to do is appeal the Ofsted report. It is inconceivable that a set of schools that did so well when last inspected now find themselves in the 'inadequate' category or 'needing improvement'.

"Parents of children at these schools want the children to be educated using the curriculum that they have. The children do very well on this curriculum.  It is right that parents should be free to decide how their children are educated. It seems the Ofsted inspectors cannot think outside the national curriculum. There is a lack of understanding by Ofsted on what this curriculum means for the children."

Chris Oakey, principal of Luton Pentecostal Church Christian Academy, claimed Ofsted had targeted Christian schools to show "even-handedness" after the scandal of the so-called Trohan Horse plot in Birmingham where Islamists were accused of plotting to take over schools. "I think they have done it to show they will do it to everyone and not just the Muslims," he told The Sunday Times.

Wesley Richards, of The King's House School, Windsor, said one inspector asked: "Do you teach pupils about other religions or do you pretend they don't exist?"

Ofsted denied it was being unfair and said it had been specifically asked to look at schools using the Accelerated Christian Education programme.

"Ofsted said found them to be failing to meet the government's standards in a number of areas, including safeguarding, leadership and governance, and the quality of the curriculum. In addition, a number of these schools were not promoting British values effectively enough."

Last year, Sir Michael Wilshaw, chief inspector of schools, denied that Ofsted had a political agenda against Christian schools after strong criticism from MPs following after inspectors issued critical reports on some other Christian schools.

Labour MP Alex Cunningham said one parent claimed her daughter had been asked whether she was a virgin. The headteacher of one of the schools accused Ofsted of asking inappropriate questions on lesbianism and transexuality.

Grindon Hall Christian school in Sunderland was among the Christian schools those placed in special measures in 2014. The latest inspection of Grindon Hall this summer concluded: "Leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures."