KIDS are reportedly being taught how to wield a sword and fire a crossbow at a school run by former members of a far-right group who say they are "at war" with the state.

       Concerns have been raised about activities at suspected illegal school HOPE Sussex, where youngsters are seen being guided in archery, swordplay and boxing, The Times reports.

       2

       Crossbow and swordplay training have been offered to kids at HOPE Sussex Credit: Getty

       Leaders of the group, based near Battle in East Sussex, used to belong to the far-right British National Party before being expelled, reports claim.

       Schools watchdog Ofsted is investigating HOPE Sussex, which reportedly encourages parents to remove their children from mainstream state education.

       The organisation has been accused of teaching conspiracy theories such as claiming the United States government knew in advance about the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.

       The school has now released photos showing children being instructed in boxing and archery, with youngsters firing crossbows as well as bows and arrows at targets.

       Read More On Schools

       BACK TO CLASS Heads should pick up absent kids to take them to schools, minister says

       CATGATE School where pupil 'claimed to identify as a cat' passes investigation after row

       Pictures also reveal kids being tutored in how to use swords by jabbing pillows, the paper said - with the school saying archery and swordplay were part of a history lesson.

       And footage showed a boy in boxing gloves sparring with one of Hope Sussex's founders Sadie Single, 44.

       She and her 51-year-old husband Matthew Single were thrown out of the BNP in 2009 for leaking online the names and details of thousands of fellow party members, it is understood.

       The parents-of-four are Covid-denial activists, with Mrs Single filmed clashing with police during an anti-lockdown march in London in August 2021.

       Most read in The Sun

       b0ozy blip Alison and Dermot apologise after This Morning guest 'gets drunk' and swears

       OVER FOR IRIS Brit pensioner, 83, SPLITS from toyboy, 37, after revealing sex life details

       'JEALOUS' EX Husband, 84, shot dead wife who'd 'moved on with new man' in murder-suicide

       'WIRED DIFFERENTLY' Mel Sykes on shock discovery she has Tourette's and other conditions

       Her husband was arrested during an anti-vaccines rally the following month.

       He has described his movement as "an army" at war with the state.

       He declared in a post on his blog: "We must be prepared to step outside of the comfort zone of simply protesting and demonstrating with placards and megaphones.

       "We have our army in the field, now we must press forward with greater more specific action."

       Photos shared online earlier this year showed him teaching children about making slingshots using branches and a handsaw, telling them such skills could "one day prove to be incredibly useful".

       HOPE Sussex was founded last year by Mr and Mrs Single, along with 41-year-old former West End performer Katy-Jo Murfin.

       She has reportedly described Covid-19 as a "plandemic".

       The organisation was highlighted in the most recent annual report by campaign group Hope Not Hate, which said: "Worryingly, it has encouraged parents to remove children from mainstream schools in favour of learning an alternative, conspiratorial curriculum."

       Ofsted said: "Our concern is that they are operating a sham home education centre that is in fact an illegal school."

       HOPE Sussex denies being a school, describing itself instead as "a community centre that hires its facilities to allow home-educating families to supplement their children’s education with wholesome and critically thinking tutors".

       They were approached for comment by Sun Online, as was Mr Fairclough whose Twitter account has been posting praise of Wimbledon men's final runners-up Novak Djokovic for his anti-vaccine stance.

       In a statement in February following Ofsted concerns, HOPE Sussex insisted they "entirely reject all and any form of prejudice within our society".

       Read More on The Sun

       DOUBLE TROUBLE I was stunned to find out why I have to have two smear tests at a time

       NAILED IT Nail tech reveals four things that customers do that are so annoying

       They added: "No tutors at Hope teach 'conspiracy theories'. We teach them to think critically at all times and to question everything, to investigate themselves and not to believe the often harmful state propaganda peddled on our TV screens.

       "Both Sadie and Matt were expelled from the BNP nearly 16 years ago. They have become vocal critics of divisive politics and seek unity."

       2

       One of the classes run at HOPE Sussex, near Battle in East Sussex